The United States and Saudi Arabia have reached a landmark nuclear deal, marking a significant development in their bilateral relations. The agreement is expected to pave the way for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership that advances several priority economic and strategic objectives, including nuclear non-proliferation. This deal has been in the works for years, with previous attempts unsuccessful due to concerns from non-proliferation groups.
The current deal does not include a so-called Additional Protocol, which allows the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency to carry out intrusive snap inspections. This omission has raised concerns, as it could potentially offer Saudi Arabia a path to develop a nuclear weapon. The deal would also allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium and reprocess nuclear waste, both of which are potential pathways to making a nuclear weapon.
The agreement has been met with criticism from some lawmakers, who argue that it could lead to an arms race in the Middle East. Senator Bernie Sanders has expressed his opposition to the deal, stating that it is absurd for the US to allow Saudi Arabia to enrich nuclear fuel while claiming to be stopping an authoritarian country from doing the same. Other lawmakers, including Senator Edward Markey, have warned that the deal could make the US and its allies less safe.
Despite these concerns, the US Secretary of Energy and his Saudi counterpart have signed the pact, known as a 123 Agreement, alongside a bilateral safeguards agreement. The administration has stated that the deal abides by non-proliferation agreements in the US Atomic Energy Act, which are among the world's strongest. The deal now goes to Congress, where lawmakers will have the opportunity to review and vote on it.
Some nuclear experts have called on lawmakers to reject or modify the deal, citing the risks of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. They argue that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium and reprocess nuclear waste could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability. The deal's fate remains uncertain, as it requires Congressional approval to go into effect.
Saudi Arabia has long stated that if it does not partner with the US, it could partner with China or Russia, which have different proliferation standards. The energy department has emphasized that the deal is a crucial step in strengthening the US-Saudi relationship, but some lawmakers remain skeptical. As the deal moves forward, it is likely to be the subject of intense debate and scrutiny in the coming weeks and months.
