Yahoo News: Israel Adds 2 Nuke-Capable Subs To Arsenal

[stopbush]

Israel adds 2 nuclear-capable submarines
By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI, Associated Press Writer 32 minutes ago

With the purchase of two more German-made Dolphin submarines capable of carrying nuclear warheads, military experts say Israel is sending a clear message to Iran that it can strike back if attacked by nuclear weapons.
The purchases come at a time when Iran is refusing to bow to growing Western demands to halt its nuclear program, and after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

The new submarines, built at a cost of $1.3 billion with Germany footing one-third of the bill, have diesel-electric propulsion systems that allow them to remain submerged for longer periods of time than the three nuclear arms-capable submarines already in Israel's fleet, the Jerusalem Post reported. The latest submarines not only would be able to carry out a first strike should Israel choose to do so, but they also would provide Israel with crucial second-strike capabilities, said Paul Beaver, a London-based independent defense analyst. Israel is already believed to have that ability in the form of the Jericho-1 and Jericho-2 nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, which are buried so far underground they would survive a nuclear strike, he said.

snip

Israel, operating on a policy of nuclear ambiguity, has never confirmed or denied whether it has nuclear weapons. It is believed, however, to have the world's sixth-largest stockpile of atomic arms, including hundreds of warheads.

Iran so far has resisted calls by the U.N. Security Council to halt uranium enrichment, which can produce, among other things, the material for atomic bombs. The council set an Aug. 31 deadline that is accompanied by the threat of sanctions.

The dispute over Tehran's nuclear program revolves around Iran's insistence it wants to master the technology simply to generate electricity. Critics say Iran wants to make nuclear weapons.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060824/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_deterring_iran&printer=1

[jaysunb]

1. Ummm here's an obvious question...

Why can they have nukes and everybody else can't ??

[FlavaKreemSnak]

5. There are lots of countries that we let have nukes

Israel is one but there are also some in Europe. I think that the reason we are the ones who say who gets to have them is because we have the most. But what you said is the obvious question is a touchy subject when you are talking about Israel and you have to be careful about saying it is an obvious question.

[Missy M]

2. I suppose the US is footing the other two-thirds of the .....

$1.3 billion cost. Why does Israel not have to confirm whether it has nuclear weapons?

[stopbush]

3. I'm sure that question enters into the Iranian's reasoning these days.

How can the UN/US call for Iran to stop its LEGAL uranium enrichment program while ignoring
or even supporting countries that already have nukes and are adding to their arsenals?

[bronxiteforever]

4. "First we got the bomb and that was good cause we loved peace

and brotherhood..."

Back to the 50s except its not just Russia and US-many fingers on the trigger-I wonder if Mutual Assured Destruction Strategy will work in the ME? I guess we are all going to find out

[Moderator]

6. locking

HOW WE WILL BE HANDLING DISCUSSION OF THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT FROM THIS POINT FORWARD

Discussions involving Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Hamas, et al. must once again take place in the Israel/Palestine forum and must abide by the rules of that forum.

Discussions of the Middle East conflict may take place in the Latest Breaking News forum providing that they abide by the rules of that forum.
Please don't send us complaints that the subject has been "banished" to the "basement." If you are truly interested in discussing this subject in a civil fashion, you can get to the Israel/Palestine forum with two clicks of your mouse. If you are logged in, you can add the Israel/Palestine forum to your "My Forums" listing by simply clicking here.

Thank you once again for your patience and understanding.