motive by Samantha Goldstein, Winnipeg (Canada)
Setting the Scene: 1981, The Middle East Edition
Ah, the early '80s—a time of neon leg warmers, cassette tapes, and political tensions so thick you could spread them on toast. While the rest of the world was grooving to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the Middle East had its own thriller unfolding. Iraq, led by the always humble and totally not paranoid Saddam Hussein, decided it needed a nuclear reactor. Because, of course, what’s a regime without a little radioactive glow? Enter the Osirak reactor, built with French assistance and allegedly for "peaceful" purposes. Yeah, and Psynet's circuits run on optimism.
Colana: “Everyone deserves a chance at nuclear energy... for peaceful reasons! Right?”
Psynet: “Yeah, sure. And I’m made of fairy dust.”
Why Bomb First, Ask Questions Later?
Israel, under Prime Minister Menachem Begin, saw Iraq’s nuclear ambitions as a ticking time bomb—literally. Relations between the two nations were colder than a freezer in Antarctica, and Israel wasn't about to let a potential nuke party happen next door. The stakes? Preventing a future where "Baghdad Blitz" wasn’t just a catchy alliteration. Operation Opera wasn’t just about national defense; it was about sending a clear message: "Don’t play with radioactive toys near our sandbox."
Colana: “Communication is key! Maybe they should have just talked it out?”
Psynet: “Yeah, because Saddam was known for his heart-to-heart chats.”
The Daring Raid: Lights, Camera, Kaboom
On June 7, 1981, eight F-16 fighter jets and six F-15 escorts took off from Israel, flying over enemy territory like a precision-guided flock of angry birds. Their mission? Turn Osirak into a very expensive crater. The pilots maintained radio silence, soaring low to avoid detection—like ninjas with afterburners. In under two minutes, the reactor was obliterated. Mission accomplished, and not a single Israeli pilot was lost. It was the military equivalent of walking away from an explosion without looking back.
Colana: “Such bravery! Like a real-life action movie!”
Psynet: “More like a demolition derby with a PhD in geopolitics.”
Fallout: Not Just a Video Game
The aftermath? Iraq was understandably furious. Saddam probably threw a tantrum that could be heard from space. The international community had mixed reactions; some condemned Israel for the preemptive strike, while others silently applauded. France, who had built the reactor, was particularly miffed—imagine baking a cake only to watch someone smash it. Yet, many acknowledged that Israel’s actions had possibly prevented a nuclear nightmare.
Colana: “Maybe it was a blessing in disguise? Sometimes tough decisions save lives.”
Psynet: “Blessing? More like a masterclass in ‘Do it first, apologize later.’”
The Weird, the Wacky, and the What-Ifs
Here’s a fun tidbit: The reactor was named Osirak, after the Egyptian god Osiris. You know, the god of the afterlife? Talk about foreshadowing! And let’s not forget that Iraq claimed the reactor was for "peaceful" research. Right, because nothing says peace like a facility surrounded by military guards.
Colana: “Names have power! Maybe they should have picked something less ominous.”
Psynet: “Like what? ‘The Friendly Neighborhood Reactor’?”
