Realism on the Iranian-Israeli Nuclear Rivalry

Issues related to nuclear weapons have always the attracted international attention. In the Middle East, there are two countries that are very aggressively developing nuclear technology and allegedly heading towards the development of nuclear weapons, namely Iran and Israel. Both countries have been enemies to each other. Nuclear weapons can also serve as a security guarantor and a negotiation tool of a state. However, there is a commonly accepted adage that if a country is attempting to strengthen itself, it will stir insecurity and anxiety from other countries. This creates a situation called security dilemma, a concept often interconnected with the realist view of the international relations studies. In this paper, the authors will discuss the relationship between nuclear competition between Iran and Israel from the point of view of realism, especially in regard to security dilemma concept. This can also be associated with nuclear development by a country which can cause anxiety and concern for other countries, especially those considered as enemies.