The Obama administration has declassified a secret Pentagon document from 1987, which shows how Israel developed new nuclear technologies and kinetic energy weapons in the 1970s and 1980s.
The heavily redacted, 129-page report, titled “Critical Technological Assessment in Israel and NATO Nations,” describes the nuclear powers of the country as they blossomed over the span of two decades.
The report shows that Israel spent its research funds on developing short wavelength lasers capable of being attached to an F-15 fighter jet or an Air Force anti-satellite miniature homing device. Israel also began to develop codes that would enable the country to make hydrogen bombs.
The report also shows that Israel was struggling with the technology and was unlikely to successfully develop the devices.
“The Israelis do not yet have the capability to carry out these kind of calculations,” the report stated.
The Pentagon made public the document in February, just as tensions were beginning to spike between President Obama and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel National News reported.
At the time, Mr. Netanyahu was in the process of arranging travel plans to the United States, where he was slated to speak to Congress on the dangers of Iran’s nuclear program. Mr. Netanyahu discussed his concerns about the program in a March 3 speech on Capitol Hill.
• Maggie Ybarra can be reached at mybarra@washingtontimes.com.
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