The Shimshon Option: How Israel's nuclear gambit changed the course of 1973 Yom Kippur War

Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East has fought seven wars since its establishment. The nation has found itself embroiled in armed conflict once again in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The events, which have been labeled an ‘act of terror’ by various democracies, prompted the Israeli government to declare war against Hamas. Subsequent military operations carried out by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have involved ground assaults and airstrikes in Gaza.  

However, in the annals of history, certain events stand out not just for their immediate impact but for the profound and far-reaching consequences that unfold in their wake. The 1973 Yom Kippur War, a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria on Israel, was one such pivotal moment. As the dust settled in the aftermath of this conflict, one operation, in particular, emerged as a turning point – Operation Shimshon or the Samson Option. 

The surprise attack and Soviet involvement 

October 6, 1973, was a day that caught not only Israel but also the United States and most of the world by surprise. Egypt and Syria launched attacks on the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights, respectively. The Soviet Union had significantly bolstered the military capabilities of these Arab nations, supplying them with over 600 advanced surface-to-air missiles, 300 MiG-21 fighters, 1,200 tanks, and vast quantities of war material.

Recognizing Israel's perilous position, Henry Kissinger, the United States Secretary of State and President Richard Nixon's National Security Adviser, initiated discreet arrangements. These included the use of the Israeli national airline, El Al, to pick up essential supplies from a U.S. naval base in Virginia, such as ammunition and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

Israel’s Doomsday contingency amid a plea for assistance 

As the Yom Kippur conflict intensified, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir took a bold step. On October 8, she authorized the assembly of thirteen 20-kiloton nuclear warheads on Jericho missiles and F-4 Phantom II aircraft, specifically prepared for potential action against Syrian and Egyptian targets. The preparations were made detectable on purpose by Israel, likely serving as a signal to the United States and enemy nations. However, it was not just Israel's nuclear preparedness that alarmed U.S. officials. Kissinger learned of this development on the morning of October 9. Concurrently, Meir issued a personal appeal for military assistance. To her disappointment, European nations declined to offer support.

According to the Nuclear Proliferation International History Project of the Woodrow Wilson International Center, Israeli forces had previously planned to insert a team of paratroopers with a nuclear bomb into the Sinai in the days leading up to the 1967 Arab–Israeli, popularly known as the Six-Day War. The intention behind such an audacious plan was to set up a remote-detonated nuclear device on a mountaintop, with the purpose of sending a strong warning to the belligerent surrounding states. This operation was considered a part of Israel's broader strategy to ensure its survival in a region marked by hostile neighbors.

The contingency offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex and high-stakes geopolitics of the time. The concept was later referred to as the "Israeli Samson Option," drawing parallels to the biblical figure Samson, who, when facing capture by his enemies, brought down the temple to destroy both himself and his adversaries. In the context of Israel, this term signifies a doctrine of last resort, where the nation would use its nuclear capabilities as a deterrent, even in the direst military circumstances. The fact that this plan was never executed, largely due to the swift and decisive success of Israeli military operations during the Six-Day War, underscores the historical significance of that conflict and the critical role played by Israel's strategic considerations in shaping the course of events in the region. 

Operation Nickel Grass takes flight 

In a crucial and time-sensitive decision, President Nixon ordered the launch of Operation Nickel Grass. The operation, carried out by the United States Air Force's Military Airlift Command (MAC), was nothing short of a strategic airlift miracle. Over 32 days, MAC shipped an astounding 22,325 tons of tanks, artillery, ammunition, and supplies. This massive U.S. support was pivotal in ensuring the survival of the State of Israel in the face of a coordinated and surprise attack by the Soviet-backed Arab Republic of Egypt and the Syrian Arab Republic.

However, the decision taken by the United States aimed not only to provide military aid to Israel, but to also avert a possible nuclear discourse by the nation in the face of war against the coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria. It's important to note that Israel’s Samson Option is a theoretical concept and is not an official Israeli policy. Israel maintains a policy of nuclear ambiguity, neither confirming nor denying the existence of its nuclear weapons program.

Unintended consequences: The 1973 oil crisis 

Following the U.S. pledge of support to Israel on October 19, the oil-exporting Arab states within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) adhered to their prior warnings. They utilized oil as a "weapon" and declared a complete oil embargo on the United States. Simultaneously, they imposed restrictions on other nations. 

This decision led to the 1973 oil crisis, a seismic event that sent shockwaves through the global economy. Oil prices skyrocketed, fuel became scarce, and the United States was embroiled in a tumultuous period. This crisis and its aftermath profoundly influenced American political and strategic policies, particularly regarding the Middle East. 

Transformation of U.S.-Saudi Relations 

Operation Nickel Grass not only had international ramifications but also left an indelible mark on U.S.-Saudi relations. The operation underscored the importance of reliable staging bases overseas, and it was Portugal's assistance that made this operation feasible. As a result, the United States substantially expanded its aerial refueling capabilities and made long-distance flight operations the standard practice. 

Operation Nickel Grass was not just an airlift; it was a catalyst for transformative change. It underscored the crucial role of logistics in modern warfare and forever altered the dynamics of the Middle East, global oil markets, and international relations. In the pages of history, Operation Nickel Grass shines as a testament to strategic foresight, logistical ingenuity, and the unexpected twists of history that shape our world.