'no first use' would confirm their possession of nuclear weapons. Israel has said that it "would not be the first country in the Middle East to formally introduce nuclear weapons into the region". If Israel's very existence is threatened, some speculate that Israel would use a "Samson Option", a "last resort" deterrence strategy of massive retaliation with nuclear weapons, should the State of Israel be substantially damaged and/or near destruction. According to Israeli historian Avner Cohen, Israel's policy on nuclear weapons, which was set down in 1966, revolves around four "red lines" which could lead to an Israeli nuclear response: A successful military penetration into populated areas within Israel's borders. The destruction of the Israeli Air Force. Israeli cities being subjected to massive and devastating aerial bombardment, chemical attacks, or biological attacks. The use of nuclear weapons against Israel. See also Nuclear disarmament References Further reading Feiveson, Harold A.; Hogendoorn, Ernst Jan: "No First Use of Nuclear Weapons", in: The Nonproliferation Review. 10(2)/2003. The Center for Nonproliferation Studies, MacDonald, Rhona: "Nuclear Weapons 60 Years On: Still a Global Public Health Threat", in: PLoS Medicine. 2(11)/2005. Public Library of Science, e301, External links Document of nuclear doctrine of India Andrew Yeh, "China Acts to Ease Fears over N-arms Policy", Financial Times, July 25, 2005 Publication of US guidelines in nuclear operations Foreign policy doctrines of India International law Military doctrines Nuclear strategy Chinese foreign policy