Global Security Newswire
Daily News on Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Weapons, Terrorism and Related Issues
China, Saudi Arabia Ink Atomic Collaboration Deal
China and Saudi Arabia on Sunday inked an accord that lays the groundwork for the two nations to jointly establish atomic energy facilities and combine efforts in spheres such as the generation of nuclear fuel, the Wall Street Journal reported (see GSN, Dec. 5, 2011).
Riyadh has already signed atomic collaboration agreements with Argentina, France and South Korea. The oil-wealthy nation is also in nuclear trade talks with the Czech Republic, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, according to the report (see GSN, Jan. 11). The deal with Beijing was signed at the conclusion of a visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh aspires to construct 16 atomic reactors no later than 2030 at a cost exceeding $100 billion, former Saudi envoy to the United States Turki al-Faisal said in 2011.
Saudi Arabia's ambitious atomic energy plans have caused some consternation, as high-profile figures such as al-Faisal have suggested the country might seek to develop nuclear weapons as a counterweight to Iran, according to earlier reports (Summer Said, Wall Street Journal, Jan. 16).
Subscribe to GSN
NTI Analysis
-
The Americas 1540 Reporting
March 20, 2013
This report is part of a collection examining implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, which requires all states to implement measures aimed at preventing non-state actors from acquiring NBC weapons, related materials, and their means of delivery. It details implementation efforts in Central America, South America and the Caribbean to-date.
-
U.S. Nuclear Cooperation as Nonproliferation: Reforms, or the Devil You Know?
Nov. 27, 2012
Several U.S. bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements are set to expire in the next four years, and a long list of nuclear newcomers are interested in concluding new agreements with the United States. Jessica C. Varnum examines the debate over whether stricter nonproliferation preconditions for concluding these new and renewal "123" nuclear cooperation agreements with the United States would enhance or undermine their value as instruments of U.S. nonproliferation policy.
Country Profile
Saudi Arabia
This article provides an overview of Saudi Arabia’s historical and current policies relating to nuclear, chemical, biological and missile proliferation.
