US, Saudi Arabia Strike Nuclear Deal. What's Next?

President Donald Trump on Wednesday reportedly approved a 30-year civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that could allow for uranium enrichment in the kingdom.

The Deal: The deal, estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars, would give American companies a central role in the development of Saudi Arabia's nuclear infrastructure, shutting out other foreign competitors. One key stipulation of the agreement includes building a uranium-enrichment facility on Saudi soil, if a joint US-Saudi study determines it warranted.

Political Complications In A Tinderbox: Reuters (Center bias) highlighted that the agreement does not include the "gold standard," excluding the kingdom from enriching uranium or an "additional protocol" of extra international oversight." These omissions, according to Reuters, is "likely to worry U.S. Middle East allies, including Israel, and raise questions of consistency, as one of the justifications for the U.S. war on Iran this year was its refusal to give up an enrichment program." US lawmakers may also be opposed according to the article, explaining that members of Congress "have previously demanded tight guardrails on any deal." The article asserted that "As always with nuclear technology, worries about security, weapons proliferation and political complications in a tinderbox region have been central concerns."  

Trades Away Leverage: An opinion writer for ZeroHedge (Lean Right) called the agreement "the latest step in a rapidly deepening relationship," adding that Trump "designated the kingdom a major non-NATO ally." The author said there is "one provision [that] is difficult to support," referencing the part of the agreement allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich its own uranium. "Uranium enrichment is inherently dual-use," according to the author, explaining that "centrifuges producing reactor fuel enriched to 3 to 5% can be reconfigured toward weapons-grade material above 90%." The writer asserted that "the better model is simple: export the product, not the technology," explaining that "building Saudi enrichment capability trades away too much leverage," and further asserting that "Washington should sell the kingdom decades of American-made fuel, not the machinery that can ultimately make far more than fuel."

Regional Arms Race: The New York Times (Lean Left) focused on concerns from Israel over the agreement. The article highlighted that the Biden administration included as a condition Saudi Arabia having "open diplomatic relations with Israel," adding that "Trump is now forging a deal with Saudi Arabia that appears to sidestep Israel entirely." According to the article, Israel is concerned that "it could lead to a regional arms race" and also "underscore[s] how the U.S. is charting its own path in the region."  

Related: NASA Reportedly Plans to Build Nuclear Reactor on the Moon by 2030

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