Transparency, for example, in the nuclear realm, tends to be regarded as an inherently positive value in international relations circles – to wit, the more transparent you are, the better. But is this true across the board? In Israel’s case, not being transparent in the nuclear realm has enabled Israel to maintain a low profile, which has both served its interests and had advantages for the wider region. By virtue of Israel not talking, issuing threats, or taking other action with regard to its assumed nuclear capabilities, the result has been that most other regional states could (grudgingly) live with the situation and not seek their own capabilities. This is better for regional stability than if Israel were a declared nuclear state that could not be ignored.
