Wed Nov 20 13:53:58 UTC 2024: ## Middle East’s Nuclear Ambitions: Energy or Armaments?
**Riyadh/Dubai/Cairo** – While Iran faces international sanctions over accusations of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons, several other Middle Eastern nations are actively developing nuclear capabilities, raising concerns about regional stability. However, the motivations appear diverse, ranging from energy independence to potential military might.
The UAE already boasts the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant, Barakah, operational since 2020, a joint venture with South Korea. Recently, the UAE signed an agreement with India for plant operation and maintenance.
Saudi Arabia, a key player in the region, is also pursuing nuclear energy, holding high-level talks with South Korea recently. While initially seeking US assistance, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s refusal to recognize Israel without a free Palestine has jeopardized that deal. Facing pressure from the US, Saudi Arabia is reportedly exploring partnerships with other nations, including China, for nuclear technology.
Egypt, with support from Russia, is building four nuclear reactors, aiming to become a regional energy hub. This initiative is primarily focused on meeting growing domestic energy demands and potentially supplying neighboring countries.
The historical context includes Iraq’s nuclear program under Saddam Hussein, destroyed by Israel in 1981 (Operation Opera) preemptively after Hussein threatened to use nuclear weapons against Israel.
The current situation sees nine countries possessing nuclear weapons: the US, Russia, UK, France, India, China, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), these nations possess a combined 12,221 nuclear warheads as of January 2024. While most Middle Eastern countries focus on nuclear energy for power generation, the pursuit of this technology by regional rivals raises concerns about a potential nuclear arms race, particularly given the existing tensions and power dynamics in the region. The article highlights the complex interplay between energy needs, geopolitical ambitions, and the ever-present threat of nuclear proliferation.
First Piper 