All art, no deal: On the U.S.-Saudi Arabia nuclear deal
The U.S.-Saudi Arabia civil nuclear deal is analyzed in the context of regional instability and the kingdom's economic diversification goals. The article raises concerns about the lack of strict oversight, such as the IAEA Additional Protocol, and the potential for future nuclear proliferation.
Why it matters
The deal carries significant geopolitical risks, potentially altering the nuclear landscape in the Middle East while complicating U.S. foreign policy objectives.
The announcement of a United States-Saudi Arabia civil nuclear deal , in the midst of a U.S.-Iran war that began over Tehran’s nuclear programme, could hardly have come at a worse time. Matters became more complicated when U.S. President Donald Trump, after the agreement had been signed, added a new condition: that Saudi Arabia should join the Abraham Accords. Saudi Arabia has long sought to develop a civilian nuclear programme. Crown Prime Mohammad bin Salman, or MBS, wants to end the kingdom’s “addiction” to oil. His Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy through finance, megaprojects, tourism and power-hungry artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. The kingdom currently relies heavily on oil and gas for electricity generation. Saudi officials believe that nuclear power would help meet rising domestic energy demand, while freeing more oil and gas for export. MBS first took up his nuclear ambitions with Mr.
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