Seymour M. Hersh

Last of a dying breed, Hersh is a dogged journalist who has little time for modern-day celebrity journalists. This book would be a great addition to a college reporting class required reading. If you remember the My Lai massacre, you'll get angry all over again. If you're too young to remember this dark spot in our nation's history, you'll wonder why your fellow Americans could possibly turn into such animals, war or no war.

Question of Israel's nuclear arsenal is something that is not discussed and officially does not exist. So imagine my surprise when I came across this book that does not just note that it exists but that it is so big and sophisticated that this program is up there with US, Russian programs, and [today] China's program.

Formation of Israel is closely intertwined with almost constant war. And this goes way before the WW2 (as evidenced by testimonies of Sabras like Yigal Allon). Horrible events show more of WW2 caused movement of huge numbers of refugees toward the now state of Israel and very soon state of Israel was born. Do note that I am trying not to conflate the religion of Judaism (and its view of Israel) and actual state of Israel (which is supposed to be secular state).

From the beginning Israel was at war. As I said not so subtle Zionist actions before and during WW2 did aggravate a lot of Arab population. Also actions of expelling Arabs from their territories after independence did not help. High level of militancy allowed Israel to survive, develop technologically (I was surprised when I read about the very high prestige Israel had even in 1950's when it comes to electronics) but always on the brink of possible catastrophe if their enemies manage somehow to break through.

So they decided to develop the nuclear weapons. And they started this very, very early on.

Now, the pursuit of the nuclear capability is not something to judge - in my opinion world would be a much fairer place if everyone had these weapons (you have them and wanna use them, be my guest, nice knowing you). At least that is much better option than having hypocritical non-proliferation treaties, arguing for it and pushing people around for it while silently and intentionally overlooking your client states obtaining it. Book clearly shows how US politicians - some driven through need for votes and influence of Jewish diaspora in US, others through pure sympathy for state of Israel (and as current events show through some very strong [Christian] religious moments) - decided to overlook the issue of close client/ally state arming itself with nuclear weapons in spite of all the public talk to curb such developments.

Development of Dimona center, and later development of miniaturized warheads for artillery and nuclear mines show very high technical level of expertise. But even this is not developed in house - lots of information was simply stolen, again due to the fact of dual loyalty issues. Very deep weapon proliferation and sale ties allowed Israel to find an almost perfect accomplice - South Africa. Big country with lots of space for testing and further development and rich in nuclear ore. I can only say, who knows what types of weapons were developed and produced and, during 1980's/90's (time when US industry suddenly started working very closely with Israeli arms industry), shared with US. This does not happen in vacuum.

But during all of this Israel managed to basically compromise anyone and everyone with any Jewish links (be it family heritage, religious or just sympathy and willing to do something for them) that it borders on crime if you ask me. Same as the IT industry confirmed every bit of cliche linked to it and people that make it, starting from 2020 'til now (awkward, almost cult-like, loving and venerating some very doubtful persons and business moves to the level of after-me-flood approaches) so did Israel paint a very large target on back of anyone who ever had ties with the state, people or religion. Shame.

And what happened as time went by? Contempt for Israel's neighbors only grew as Israel's might kept growing, including nuclear weapons - one more proof that only raw power is what earns respect - and it started to see itself as dominating power in the area from Central and North Africa up to the Black Sea. It takes very little to have ones appetites grow. And while Cold War curbed a lot of this, end of Cold War allowed creation of the world where US and its allies (including Israel) started fully and un-apologetically to dominate their areas.

Again, does Israel need nuclear weapons? They feel they do, they should have it. But once Rubicon is crossed, let us not pretend everything is back to square one. It is not. I am not sure if dog is wagging the tail or tail is wagging the dog, but recent events have shown pretty bad links between US and Israel. What started as necessity to survive evolved into weapon of intimidation and control of very large area. Sheer audacity and level of demands (I mean Israel wanted dedicated, Israel based, fully secured (out of USA ability to read) and controlled NSA receiver station for KH11 satellite? what?) while giving very harsh and ugly comments on US government (ad-hominem and institutions, from Eisenhower onward) when US dare to put their national interests first, and the level of smugness and superiority, while constantly playing double games ......... I mean, if it works it works, all the power to them, and US, allowing it, seems to be OK with it, so keep it on, BDSM is a very strange kink.
But once this goes down.......

Samson Option is called that because if Israel cannot survive nobody will. This is in core of nuclear policies of lots of nuclear powers, mind you, if not all, but it does not make it right for the rest of the world. All it takes is a single event of uncontrolled action and all is gone. One can throw ash on oneself and moan and weep and cry the life out of oneself, but when that happens it is done, over. I always admired Israel for their discipline and stoicism, but militarism without wisdom is idiocy. It is nothing more than seeking fight in a bar full of drunk weight lifters, keep pushing and yes antidote will pop up. Diplomacy, and at least respectful treatment of ones allies and neighbors, needs to come back after more than 30 years of disregard. With the level of militancy and aggressiveness shown in this book (and it only became worse since then, almost 24 years ago) nothing good can come out, not only for the countries in question (everyone makes their decisions) but world in general.

Very disturbing and very informative book. Highly, highly recommended. show less

I think only US public was actually expecting anything from Obama while he was in White House. To anyone from the outside it was obvious there will be no change of course.

This short book contains one article related to the Osama bin Laden's killing and three articles on escalating situation in Syria.

When it comes to Osama bin Laden's killing it is one of those cases when not so bright people decide to take the credit forcefully. Instead of just admitting that attack took place, Obama's show more administration decided to get implicated into fascinating web of lies and thus caused serious issues for its ally. Trying to portray the action as constant under fire event (while it seems it was not even close to that) destroyed the good relations in the very difficult part of the world.

On the other hand situation in Syria demonstrates rather schizophrenic nature of US foreign policy. Unable to handle Turkey (information about which are very alarming to say the least especialy related to gas attacks) US decided to declare Syria enemy state and started funneling weapons and mercenaries (Uighur role here is rather disturbing) from Mad Max Lybia to Syria. Turkey played the role of the main route for weapon and mercenaries into Syria and everything went well until Russia came in and complicated the situation.

Turkey and its allies in Syria (all rather radical militias) tried to provoke Lybia-like NATO Intervention using gas attacks as a reason. Fortunately, although all NATO allies were more than ready to repeat Lybia, attack and invasion never took place. But it escalated things and brought West into ever increasing chance of direct confrontation with Russia.

US JCS decided to de-escalate the situation by providing the information through back channels to Assad and Russians but CIA (for some reason, still not clear to me, utterly bent on destroying Syria) and Obama's administration managed to dismantle the uncontrollable generals. Result - current situation.

Very interesting set of articles that sheds some light on Syria events and shows how short term actions to show the presidency in good light (similar to Clinton's bombings after every affair) cause long term horror show in affected areas.

Highly recommended. show less

So bizarre it must (likely) be true. Amongst other things the author suggests that Israel's targeting of Russian cities with nuclear bombs was behind some of the craven approaches shown by the US towards Israel. Probably essential reading for anyone looking at the current stand-off between Israel and Iran and the debate about Iran's development of nuclear weapons. This book might go some way towards explaining why in all of that discussion nobody wants to mention how many nuclear bombs show more Israel (most definitely) already has. The only question about that arsenal is where they are currently pointed, and what would trigger Israel to use them. Well researched, well written, and deeply disturbing. show less