The Begin Doctrine
Israel has long pursued a proactive and uncompromising policy to prevent hostile states in the Middle East from acquiring nuclear weapons. This approach is enshrined in the Begin Doctrine, named after Prime Minister Menachem Begin, who articulated in the early 1980s that Israel would not tolerate any enemy state acquiring nuclear capabilities. The doctrine champions preemptive action as a means of safeguarding national survival, leading to a series of bold military and cyber operations that have reshaped the region’s nuclear trajectory.
Military Precision Strikes and Cyber warfare
Operation Opera
The first major execution of this doctrine came in 1981 with Operation Opera, when the Israeli Air Force launched a daring strike on Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor near Baghdad. The facility, which had been constructed with French assistance, was suspected to be central to Saddam Hussein’s ambitions to develop nuclear weapons. In a surprise mission involving eight F-16s and their escorts, the reactor was destroyed before it could become operational. Though initially met with international condemnation, the attack was later seen as a decisive move that set back Iraq’s nuclear program by years.
Operation Orchard
Fast forward to 2007, Israel launched Operation Orchard, targeting a clandestine Syrian nuclear reactor in the Deir ez-Zor region. Intelligence revealed that the reactor, constructed with North Korean help, was nearing completion. A precise airstrike demolished the facility, again reinforcing Israel’s commitment to acting unilaterally if necessary to neutralize existential threats. Syria never officially acknowledged the reactor, and Israel remained silent about its role for over a decade, illustrating its quiet but firm strategic posture.
Stuxnet worm
Beyond aerial operations, Israel has embraced cyber warfare as a powerful tool in its anti-nuclear arsenal. In 2010, the discovery of the Stuxnet worm marked a watershed in digital sabotage. This sophisticated malware, believed to be developed jointly by Israel and the United States, specifically targeted Iranian centrifuges at the Natanz enrichment facility. By causing subtle yet destructive malfunctions while feeding false data to monitoring systems, Stuxnet destroyed nearly 1,000 centrifuges and significantly delayed Iran’s nuclear efforts—without the need for a single missile.
Operation Rising Lion
Most recently, in June 2025, Israel reportedly carried out Operation Rising Lion, a sophisticated Mossad-led mission deep within Iranian territory. Conducted on a Friday, the operation is believed to have disrupted covert Iranian nuclear infrastructure that had evaded international scrutiny. According to intelligence leaks, Rising Lion not only exposed previously unknown enrichment activities but also neutralized senior operatives involved in nuclear logistics and planning. Though official details remain classified, the operation reflects Israel’s evolving strategy—combining human intelligence, technological precision, and surgical execution. Rising Lion underscores that Israel’s preemptive doctrine is not just historical—it remains a living, adaptive policy aimed at neutralizing nuclear threats before they fully emerge.
These operations, spanning decades and employing both conventional and unconventional tactics, underscore Israel’s strategic doctrine: neutralize threats before they materialize. Whether through airstrikes, digital warfare, or covert intelligence missions, Israel has consistently enforced its red lines against nuclear proliferation. The Begin Doctrine remains a cornerstone of Israeli defense policy, serving not just as a national security measure but as a regional deterrent reshaping the Middle East’s strategic landscape.
