ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the nuclear deterrent relationship existing between the Arab-Israeli adversaries. It examines whether or not nuclear deterrence has worked and is still working within the context of the opaque nuclear status maintained by the key Middle Eastern states. Three salient aspects have been evaluated to provide a better understanding of the non-traditional nuclear deterrence among these opaque nuclear states in the Arab-Israeli Protracted Conflict (PC). These are: the perception of non-traditional nuclear deterrence by the new nuclear states, the condition of communications used for deterrence to work, and the deterrent relationship that exists between the Arab states and Israel. The chapter provides information on the Israeli perception of non-traditional deterrence and the Arab states' belief in this new form of deterrence. It also examines the success of nuclear deterrence in the Arab-Israeli PC by focusing on crises and wars in the conflict.
