Commentary: Israel's 1981 Attack on Iraqi Nuclear Reactor only Fuelled Saddam Hussein’s Desire for Nukes

Bombing Iraq's Osirak Nuke Plant Fueled Saddam's Ambitions

Israel, with the assistance of U.S. military hardware, bombs an adversary’s nuclear facility to set back the perceived pursuit of the ultimate weapon. We have been here before, about 44 years ago. In 1981, Israeli fighter jets supplied by Washington attacked an Iraqi nuclear research reactor being built near Baghdad by the French government. It didn't work. Had Saddam not invaded Kuwait over a matter not related to security, it is very possible …

Commentary: Israel's 1981 attack on Iraqi nuclear reactor only fuelled Saddam Hussein’s desire for nukes

Iraq’s nuclear programme went underground after Israel destroyed its reactor just outside Baghdad more than four decades ago. After the US strikes on Iran’s facilities, the risk is that history will repeat itself, says this international relations professor.

Israel bombed an Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981 − it pushed program underground and spurred Saddam Hussein’s desire for nukes

The Osirak nuclear power research station in 1981. Jacques Pavlovsky/Sygma via Getty Images by Jeffrey Fields, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Israel, with the assistance of U.S. military hardware, bombs an adversary’s nuclear facility to set back the perceived pursuit of the ultimate weapon. We have been here before, about 44 years … Continued

Israel bombed an Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981 − it pushed program underground and spurred Saddam Hussein’s desire for nukes

The Osirak nuclear power research station in 1981. Jacques Pavlovsky/Sygma via Getty ImagesIsrael, with the assistance of U.S. military hardware, bombs an adversary’s nuclear facility to set back the perceived pursuit of the ultimate weapon. We have been here before, about 44 years ago. In 1981, Israeli fighter jets supplied by Washington attacked an Iraqi nuclear research reactor being built near Baghdad by the French government. The reactor, w…