Israel's nuclear arsenal of at least 80 warheads is seldom discussed in Washington, yet it is the reality of that arsenal that helps to provide a rationale for other regional powers seeks a nuclear weapons capability. When the idea of a Middle East nuclear free zone is mooted, it is typically dismissed by U.S. officials and analysts as implausible given Israel's refusal to comply. This piece suggests that it is possible the Obama administration will be more open to the idea of an arms control regime in the Middle East that will include Israel Frankly, the evidence is little more than suggestive, although some officials are known to favor the idea.
As I have noted here previously, some experts known for their concern of the Middle East nuclearization are remarkably quiet about Israel's arsenal. Perhaps, just perhaps, that might change.
One intriguing items in the Washington Times article is a reference to a highly secret 1969 agreement between Golda Meir and Richard Nixon, in which Nixon committed the U.S. to preserving Israel's nuclear weapons program.
EXCLUSIVE: Secret U.S.-Israel nuclear accord in jeopardy - Washington Times
A link to the famous 1986 London Times article in which Mordechai Vanunu revealed, for the first time, evidence confirming Israel's nuclear bombs. [Informed reporting on the kidnapping of Vanunu.]