Operation Opera

Sometimes they're not.

In June of 1981, Ronald Reagan condemned Israel for destroying Iraq's Osarek nuclear reactor.

Iraq formerly remained at war with Israel, had participated in early wars against it, ruled by Hussein, you remember.

The Reagan administration condemned the operation, supported unanimous passage of a U.N. Security Council resolution and suspended delivery of an additional F-16 aircraft on June 19th of 1981.

It happens among allies.

And frankly, I think Reagan was wrong.

I think Israel was perfectly right and helpful acting in America's interest to destroy that nuclear reactor, Osirak.

But OK, you disagree.

Between India and Israel to bomb Pakistan's uranium enrichment facilities in the Gujarat Hills, right? Israeli jets were supposed to take off from some Indian airfields.

And this would have sort of been on the same model as the attack on Iraq's Osirak nuclear plants.

Also bear in mind that in both the 1967 war and the 1973 war, the Arab-Israeli wars, Pakistani fighter pilots seconded to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, I think, actually took down some Israeli fighter pilots.

That's more than most Arab air forces have ever done with due respect to the Arabs.

But I think what's interesting is that the Ironwall logic has evolved.

And when you look at, for instance, Menachem Begin striking the Iraqi nuclear facility at Osirak in 1981, I think there is a very strong argument to be made that that is in keeping with Ironwall principles.

So that's why I say it's not just about, you know, the physicality of it or, you know, a policy of deterrence.

It's really about strategy.