Archives nuclear power industry - New Eastern Outlook

Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of civilian nuclear cooperation with the United States while simultaneously deepening its strategic partnership with Pakistan reflects a broader shift in Gulf security, where regional states are diversifying their alliances instead of relying on a single external guarantor.

Washington’s attempt to strengthen Saudi Arabia and Turkey while maintaining unwavering support for Israel exposes a strategy built on contradictions rather than coherence. By empowering competing regional partners, the US risks fueling an arms race, deepening Iran’s insecurity, and becoming trapped in the very rivalries it seeks to manage.

The US–Saudi nuclear deal risks prioritizing Washington’s strategic influence and commercial interests over strict non-proliferation safeguards, potentially creating a latent Saudi nuclear capability and triggering a wider regional arms race. The genie must not be let out of the bottle.