THE GULF WAR: The International Front : Words on the War
“Although there are no good tactical or strategic reasons to keep a nuclear option open in the Gulf War, there are more fundamental reasons why the United States should not uncork this genie. Military imbalance in the region has pushed Syrian, Egyptian, Libyan and Iraqi efforts regarding chemical weapons, which are viewed as a relatively easy response to Israel’s capabilities, including nuclear weapons. There are reports that Iran may be reviving the shah’s nuclear program. The last thing the region needs is for the United States, by its example, to legitimate the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction.”
--ROBERT C. NOEL, senior Mideast and nuclear specialist, UC Santa Barbara political science department.
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