Why are halogens strong oxidising agents?

Explanation

Halogens have a strong tendency to accept electrons and get reduced. This is due to low bond dissociation enthalpy, high electronegativity and large electron gain enthalpy of halogens.
`X_(2)+2eto2X^(-)`
As a result, halogens are strong oxidising agents. However, their oxidising power decreases from `F_(2)` to `I_(2)` , which can be seen from their electrode potentials:
`E^(0)_(F_(2)//F^(-))=+2.87V,E^(0)_(Cl_(2)//Cl^(-))=+1.36V`
`E^(0)_(Br_(2)//Br^(-))=+1.09V` and `E^(0)_(I_(2)//I^(-))=+0.54` V
Thus `F_(2)` is the strongest oxidant while `I_(2)` is the weakest.