THE NUCLEAR ARSENAL IN THE MIDDLE-EAST

Escalation to nuclear world war is most likely if a client state of a superpower first resorts to its own nuclear weapons, and nuclear weapons are beginning to proliferate in the Middle East. Much of the Middle East's nuclear technology was imported from developed nations, ostensibly for power plants and other peaceful purposes. Israel's and Arab nuclear programs and weapons are discussed. It is argued that nuclear-weapons proliferation will be checked only when developed nations take into account that any nuclear technology can be adapted to military use. Such technology should not be exported without safeguards to ensure that it is used for its intended purpose. And the superpowers must reduce their own nuclear arsenals if they expect client nations in the Third world to forego acquiring such weapons.