Implications of NATO-Israel Deal
The blog NATO Monitor has reported on the possible outcomes of the Individual Cooperation Programme, which “allows for an exchange of intelligence information and security expertise on different subjects, an increase in the number of joint Israel-NATO military exercises and further cooperation in the fight against nuclear proliferation.”
The Monitor discusses Israel’s nuclear arsenal or the potential for a WMD-free zone in the Middle East, although the prospects seem doubtful. There is also the interesting possibility of NATO providing security in case of a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. NATO Supreme Allied Commander James Jones, who visited Israel and thought the idea of NATO involvement in peacekeeping was worth exploring, is now the National Security Adviser to President-elect Obama.
Finally, with many Arab media outlets and blogs picking up on Israel’s deal with NATO, what will be the reaction towards NATO countries in the Arab world? The buzz seems to be focused less on the possibilities for future cooperation and peace, but rather on the belief that this deal will strengthen Israel in the region.
Gavin Yerxa
