Saudi-American Nuclear Cooperation Draws Scrutiny

American-Saudi military cooperation spans decades but has come under fire in recent years. (Wikimedia Commons)

In February, Congress’s House Oversight Committee reported that members of the Trump administration discussed the potential sale and transfer of sensitive nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia as recently as February 12. According to the Washington Post, the discussions brought together America’s nuclear power chief executives, National Security Council representatives, and State and Energy Department officials.

American relations with Saudi Arabia have worsened since Saudi agents murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi last fall. While Congress has pushed for a reevaluation of the relationship, the White House has muted its criticism of Saudi Arabia and has continued selling arms to the country. The administration’s alleged flirtation with the transfer of nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia would underscore its support for Saudi Arabia’s regional interests.

Saudi Arabia has expressed a desire to diversify its economy and energy sources away from oil, partly through nuclear power. The Riyadh Daily reported in November that Saudi Arabia, which already has some civilian nuclear facilities, is pursuing a “research nuclear plant.” But the road is fraught with obstacles: Bloomberg Politics reported that monitors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that “without reaching a new understanding [for inspections] with monitors, Saudi plans for 3.2 gigawatts of atomic power by the end next decade could flounder.”

Bloomberg Politics wrote that “Saudi officials have said any nuclear energy program would be for peaceful purposes,” but their rhetoric is suspect. According to the New York Times, Saudi officials insisted on being able to produce their own nuclear fuel during negotiations with the U.S. Even though Saudi Arabia could buy nuclear fuel more cheaply abroad, domestic nuclear fuel production allows for its covert diversion to weapons projects.

Bloomberg Politics quoted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as stating that, “Without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.”

The New York Times reported that Saudi “negotiators stirred more worries by telling the Trump administration that Saudi Arabia would refuse to sign an agreement that would allow United Nations inspectors to look anywhere in the country for signs that the Saudis might be working on a bomb.”

American nuclear energy executives and national security officials seem undeterred by the security risks of transferring nuclear technology. Seth Grae, president of nuclear energy firm Lightbridge Corp, met with President Trump to discuss nuclear technology exports.

Bloomberg Politics quoted Grae as saying, “There was a notion in the room that this is very much a competition with Russia and China and there are strategic benefits to the U.S. being involved in overseas nuclear programs.”