A Nuclear Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia may now be more determined to build its nuclear power infrastructure. King Salman dismissed all members of the board of its modest King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy last month. In 2011, the intention to allocate roughly $80 billion to build 16 reactors was announced. Implementing this plan seems to be on top of the agenda of the new Saudi Administration.
The chances for a nuclear military
dimension are indeed a matter of debate. Saudi – Pakistani cooperation
in this field tips the balance of speculation inasmuch as Islamabad is
not known for having an advanced civilian nuclear sector. By virtue of
the security context in the Middle East, the possibility of a Saudi
nuclear weapon bought readymade and installed on the Chinese missiles in
Saudi Arabia should not be ruled out. In fact, it should not come as a
surprise in a region where a new nuclear nation is added to the list
every few decades, and when the security environment is at its worst
ever. The Saudis feel obliged to have a nuclear weapon if Iran has one. A
similar equation would be applicable as well in the case that Iran has
nuclear “capabilities,” including the capability to produce a bomb if it
chooses to do so. Pakistan can provide such weapons until indigenous
capabilities are built.
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