America's Long Road From Osirak to Fordow
When Israel struck the Iraqi nuclear program on June 7, 1981, the U.S. was as surprised as the Iraqis. The Israelis had given no notice. The Reagan administration—in which I served as an assistant secretary of state—was split over how to react. I remember the attitude Secretary of State Alexander Haig showed in private: The strike against the Osirak reactor had been a terrific show of military power. Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger urged an end to all aid to Israel. President Reagan suspended delivery of F-16 jets scheduled for days later. Reagan's heart wasn't in it, he quickly reversed himself, and Israel got the planes.
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