Saudi Arabia Announces Nuclear Plant, And It Could Have Huge Consequences For U.S.-Iran Relations

The Business Insider ^ | 4-21-2010 | Gregory White

[blam]

Saudi Arabia Announces Nuclear Plant, And It Could Have Huge Consequences For U.S.-Iran Relations

Gregory White
Apr. 20, 2010, 4:40 PM

The government of Saudi Arabia has announced a new section of its capital Riyadh is set to be powered solely by nuclear energy. This will be the first nuclear power plant in the Gulf states, and the first in the broader Middle East.

If the U.S. government backs Saudi Arabia's bid to build a reactor, they'll be creating the potential for nuclear growth within the GCC, or Gulf Cooperation Council, whose members include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and Oman.

All of those states are also reviewing the possibility of producing nuclear fuel, so they can export more oil and gas to foreign markets.

The GCC is largely allied with the United States and their key security issue is Iran's rise in power across the Persian Gulf.

The U.S. must be concerned that by allowing oil-rich ally Saudi Arabia to invest in nuclear technology, it will be further escalating its conflict with Iran.

[snip]

[blam]

Pssst... Saudi Arabia Needs $60 Oil Just to Break Even These Days

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

but, what are we worried about? Obozo just got Canada to reduce its enriched uranium! whew.

[jessduntno]

Hahahahaha...this ought to be good...no wonder Bammy was scrapin’ and bowin’...

[throwback]

The logical next outcome from Obama’s handling of Iran. Good thing we got that nuclear material out of Canada. Imagine hockey teams smuggling suitcase bombs over the border.

[colorado tanker]

This appears to make it official. The Arabs have zero confidence that Zero will stop Iran’s nuclear program.

[blam]

"This appears to make it official. The Arabs have zero confidence that Zero will stop Iran’s nuclear program."

I suspect the Saudi's already have nukes from Pakistan.

[nolongerademocrat]

The Saudis are afraid of a nuclear Iran too.

[colorado tanker]

I suspect the Saudi's already have nukes from Pakistan.

Or they would be readily available if needed.

[Cyman]

Isn’t that like an Eskimo buying a refrigerator?

[GauchoUSA]

What relations?

[DrC]

“Isn’t that like an Eskimo buying a refrigerator?”

In reality, oil won’t last forever. Moreover, there are “side-benefits” to have nuclear power capabilities, especially when a mortal enemy is moving in that direction. As another poster suggested, this move signals a precipitous decline in Saudi confidence about Obama’s willingness/ability to slow down Iran.