The Security Dilemma and Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East.

Although they can be used for offensive purposes, nuclear weapons are generally viewed in terms of deterrence. As such they are especially suited for situations of security dilemma. Often confrontations such as India-Pakistan, Arab-Israel, and the East-West are characterized in terms of the security dilemma. And notwithstanding the fact that the Middle East is a major area of concern with respect to nuclear proliferation, it is surprising to find no systematic study of the nexus between the drive for the acquisition of nuclear weapons in the region and the security dilemma. Put simply, the traditional security dilemma refers to "net insecurity" experienced by all actors as a result of self-help measures intended to enhance the security of one of them. The Arab-Israel area of the Middle East is an ideal case to examine the applicability, dynamics and impact of the security dilemma. Existing literature lacks any systematic analysis of this. Security analyses that partially employ the security dilemma almost exclusively focus on Israel's end the security dilemma to rationalize Israel's offensive posture and aggressive actions, monopoly of nuclear weapons and its superiority in conventional weaponry. I find no studies that seriously consider the Arab side of the security dilemma, as if they have no security dilemma, or if it exists, it is of no consequence to regional peace and stability. This paper is an attempt at redressing this imbalance. In applying the security dilemma to the Arab-Israel area, we can focus on the factors that have given rise to and continue to shape the security dilemma in the region. We can highlight the crucial linkage between the security dilemma and past and likely future nuclear proliferation on the one hand and the Arab-Israel conflict. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]