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Securing or Securitizing? Unveiling the Role of Securitization “Audience” in Israel’s 2007 Bombing of the Syrian Nuclear Site.
This thesis examines the 2007 Israeli bombing on Syria's Al-Kibar nuclear reactor through the lens of securitization theory, concluding that intelligence served as crucial audiences in legitimizing the operation. Building on the Copenhagen School's paradigm, which defines securitization as the proce...
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AUC Knowledge Fountain
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613431747575808 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Hassanin, Dunia Essam |
| author_browse | Hassanin, Dunia Essam |
| author_facet | Hassanin, Dunia Essam |
| author_sort | Hassanin, Dunia Essam |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | This thesis examines the 2007 Israeli bombing on Syria's Al-Kibar nuclear reactor through the lens of securitization theory, concluding that intelligence served as crucial audiences in legitimizing the operation. Building on the Copenhagen School's paradigm, which defines securitization as the process by which actors build issues as existential threats necessitating extreme measures, this study fills a critical theoretical gap: the underdeveloped role of the audience. While classic formulations focus on public approval, this study suggests a more sophisticated notion of the Political Intelligence Audience: intelligence agencies that validate and operationalize securitization moves. The concept contends that groups such as the CIA and Mossad serve not just as vehicles of state power, but also as engaged audiences whose perception of a threat converts discourse into policy and covert action. Using Israel's 2007 strike as a case study, the analysis shows how the securitizing actors: IDF and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert securitized Syria's reactor, despite the International Atomic Energy Agency's judgment of no imminent nuclear threat. In addition, the paper discusses the international community's quiet response to the strikes. The operation elicited minimal criticism or discussion at the United Nations or during following nonproliferation discussions. This silence, exacerbated by Israeli media restrictions, demonstrates how strategic concealment and intelligence framing influenced foreign perceptions of legitimacy. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:fount.aucegypt.edu:etds-3717 |
| institution | American University in Cairo (Egypt) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:35:59.828Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from AUC Knowledge Fountain — bepress |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | AUC Knowledge Fountain |
| publisherStr | AUC Knowledge Fountain |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | AUC Knowledge Fountain — bepress |
| spelling | oai:fount.aucegypt.edu:etds-3717 Securing or Securitizing? Unveiling the Role of Securitization “Audience” in Israel’s 2007 Bombing of the Syrian Nuclear Site. Hassanin, Dunia Essam This thesis examines the 2007 Israeli bombing on Syria's Al-Kibar nuclear reactor through the lens of securitization theory, concluding that intelligence served as crucial audiences in legitimizing the operation. Building on the Copenhagen School's paradigm, which defines securitization as the process by which actors build issues as existential threats necessitating extreme measures, this study fills a critical theoretical gap: the underdeveloped role of the audience. While classic formulations focus on public approval, this study suggests a more sophisticated notion of the Political Intelligence Audience: intelligence agencies that validate and operationalize securitization moves. The concept contends that groups such as the CIA and Mossad serve not just as vehicles of state power, but also as engaged audiences whose perception of a threat converts discourse into policy and covert action. Using Israel's 2007 strike as a case study, the analysis shows how the securitizing actors: IDF and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert securitized Syria's reactor, despite the International Atomic Energy Agency's judgment of no imminent nuclear threat. In addition, the paper discusses the international community's quiet response to the strikes. The operation elicited minimal criticism or discussion at the United Nations or during following nonproliferation discussions. This silence, exacerbated by Israeli media restrictions, demonstrates how strategic concealment and intelligence framing influenced foreign perceptions of legitimacy. 2026-02-15T08:00:00Z thesis application/pdf https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2660 https://fount.aucegypt.edu/context/etds/article/3717/viewcontent/Dunia_Essam_Ibrahim_Thesis.pdf Theses and Dissertations AUC Knowledge Fountain Securitization Israel Defense Forces Mossad Censorship Copenhagen School. International Relations Political Science Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| spellingShingle | Securitization Israel Defense Forces Mossad Censorship Copenhagen School. International Relations Political Science Social and Behavioral Sciences Hassanin, Dunia Essam Securing or Securitizing? Unveiling the Role of Securitization “Audience” in Israel’s 2007 Bombing of the Syrian Nuclear Site. |
| title | Securing or Securitizing? Unveiling the Role of Securitization “Audience” in Israel’s 2007 Bombing of the Syrian Nuclear Site. |
| title_full | Securing or Securitizing? Unveiling the Role of Securitization “Audience” in Israel’s 2007 Bombing of the Syrian Nuclear Site. |
| title_fullStr | Securing or Securitizing? Unveiling the Role of Securitization “Audience” in Israel’s 2007 Bombing of the Syrian Nuclear Site. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Securing or Securitizing? Unveiling the Role of Securitization “Audience” in Israel’s 2007 Bombing of the Syrian Nuclear Site. |
| title_short | Securing or Securitizing? Unveiling the Role of Securitization “Audience” in Israel’s 2007 Bombing of the Syrian Nuclear Site. |
| title_sort | securing or securitizing unveiling the role of securitization audience in israel s 2007 bombing of the syrian nuclear site |
| topic | Securitization Israel Defense Forces Mossad Censorship Copenhagen School. International Relations Political Science Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| url | https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2660 https://fount.aucegypt.edu/context/etds/article/3717/viewcontent/Dunia_Essam_Ibrahim_Thesis.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hassaninduniaessam securingorsecuritizingunveilingtheroleofsecuritizationaudienceinisraels2007bombingofthesyriannuclearsite |