Israel's nuclear program has been hidden from the world for almost forty years. Unlike the rest of the world, Israel's "nuclear ambiguity" has provided Israel with cover and, more importantly, has shielded Israel from the constraints of international treaties, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Some have argued that this "ambiguity" hasn't helped in the Middle East. And some just have a problem with Israel's unwillingness to play by the same rules as the rest of the International community.
For forty years, every American president has allowed Israel to play by a different set of rules. But it looks like that is about to change.
Recently, Assistant Secretary of State Rose Gottemoeller made a surprise announcement. She announced that the United States would like every nation to, including (specifically!) Israel, to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"Universal adherence to the NPT itself - including by India, Israel, Pakistan and North Korea - also remains a fundamental objective of the United States."
As reported in The Guardian:
By including Israel on a list of countries known to have nuclear weapons. Gottemoeller broke with normal US diplomatic practice. Since 1968 when the CIA reported Israel had developed a nuclear weapon , Washington has pursued a policy of not demanding transparency from its close ally, and in return Israel agreed not to test a bomb or declare its nuclear capability - a policy of "strategic ambiguity".
...
Attempts to stop spread of nuclear weapons face a critical moment over the next year before the NPT comes up for review in 2010, at a time when North Korea has declared the resumption of its nuclear weapons programme, and fears over Iran's intentions threaten to trigger a Middle East arms race. Gottemoeller's speech was made at a meeting to prepare the way for next year's critical NPT review conference.
So what does this mean?
For one, it means that we finally have a President that isn't afraid to be reasonable with regard to Israel. For far too long, American foreign policy has basically given Israel carte blanche with regard to foreign policy decisions. It looks like we might actually have a President that is willing to treat Israel like we treat all our other allies. No better, no worse.
Perhaps this also means that Obama is about to be assailed by AIPAC and the entire Israel lobby. As pointed out elsewhere:
You’ll recall that the first thing accused Israeli spy Steve Rosen, AIPAC’s former chief lobbyist, did when he resurfaced was to set up an "Obama Watch" blog on the web site of the crazed Daniel Pipes, one of the main perpetrators of the "Obama-is-a-secret-Muslim" meme. Expect the attacks on the President coming from the Lobby to intensify.
At any rate, this little gesture has huge implications. And frankly, I am amazed it has flown under the radar.