---
born: 1924-12-02
category: Nuclear Scientists & Programs
died: 2010-02-20
location: Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
summary: Secretary of State under President Reagan who was present at high-command
  meetings following Israel's 1981 bombing of the Iraqi Osirak nuclear reactor.
tags:
- Person
- Nuclear
- Israel
---

Alexander M. Haig, Jr. served as the Secretary of State under President [Ronald Reagan](/people/ronald-reagan/). He was present at a meeting of Reagan's high command following the Israeli bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor at [Osirak bombing](/events/osirak-bombing/) in June 1981. While the [State Department](/organizations/state-department/) formally condemned the bombing, Haig was privately forbearing.[^1]

[^1]: Hersh, Seymour M. *The Samson Option: Israel's Nuclear Arsenal and American Foreign Policy*. Random House, 1991.