Former Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi stated in 2006 that nuclear weapons are very dangerous in the hands of undemocratic regimes. Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was described as a radical aiming for nuclear weapons to destroy Israel. Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani reportedly suggested one nuclear weapon could destroy Israel while hundreds would be needed against the Islamic world. Experts believe recent Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites signal a policy shift away from containment. This change is seen as occurring since the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel. Israel has increased military actions in Lebanon and Syria, calling it a new “border security doctrine.” Former US official Aaron David Miller noted a shift in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu towards using military force. The article attributes Israel’s strength partly to its high percentage of university and advanced degrees. It mentions Israeli contributions to technology including cellphones, Intel chips, and ICQ. Israel’s air force includes approximately 250 F-16 fighter bombers. An Israeli air attack reportedly used 200 F-16s to hit targets in Iran and crimple air defenses. Retired US Gen John Michael Loh is noted as instrumental in developing the F-16. The article was written by Frank Shatz, a Williamsburg resident, for the Daily Press on June 17, 2025.
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