Israel has reason to feel uncomfortable these days as the international community focuses on its nuclear ambiguity. In addition to the NPT (Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) conference in May, which called for Israel to join the treaty, an IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) board of governors meeting listed Israel's nuclear status on its agenda for future discussions.

Israel has been following a delicately nuanced policy since secretly acquiring nuclear capability in the '60s; that is, it neither admits nor denies possession of nuclear weapons. In order to escape international responsibility and censure from the Arab, Islamic, and the international community at large, Israel has never openly declared that it has nuclear weapons. On the other hand, Israel doesn't want to lose the deterrence effect that nuclear weapons provide against its enemies, so it never denies nuclear capability.

Although Israel generally avoided criticism and international pressure over its nuclear weapons for the initial 20 years or so, in the last decade or two Israel has faced growing international pressure. With more official and unofficial documents released about its nuclear program in Dimona, Israel's nuclear capacity has become public knowledge. Mordechai Vanunu, a former Israeli nuclear technician, offered valuable information about the program in 1986.

Its policy, designed in the '60s, has lost some of its tactical significance in the 21 century. Unlike the '60s, ambiguity no longer saves Israel from international criticism, as Israel's nuclear capability has been widely seen as a major obstacle to the formation of a nuclear-weapon-free-zone in the Middle East. Moreover, Israel has achieved its objective of deterrence, since everybody knows Israel's well armed with nuclear weapons.

However, it's not likely Israel will give up the ambiguity policy anytime soon, and it's equally not likely it will join the NPT community. As a nation with frequent misfortunes and traumas in history, Israel regards security as its core interest, and nuclear weapons ensure its survival – or so it's believed.

Although Israel's ambiguity is obviously in conflict with Barack Obama's efforts to build a world free of nuclear weapons, the U.S. won't press for Israel's compliance with the international community. A nuclear-armed client in the Middle East will serve the long-term and strategic interests of the U.S., and the American government justifies such arrangements by classifying Israel as a special country with unique security needs.

The prospect of pulling Israel into the NPT seems dim, but nevertheless, its nuclear status is on the agenda of important international institutions, despite US opposition. The international community has shown resolve in continuing to push Israel on the issue, but further progress will remain a struggle.

Dr. Jin Liangxiang is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/node_7075400.htm

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