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14 June 2024

The US-Saudi Nuclear Agreement: Regional Implications – OpEd

Hira Bashir

Several media reports have suggested that Saudi Arabia is close to a “mega deal” with the United States. The “mega deal” is also known as “grand bargain” because the agreement would significantly strengthen US-Saudi relations, given it includes a mutual defense pact and collaboration on advanced technologies such as AI and a civilian nuclear program.

On May 19, 2024, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan visited Saudi Arabia for discussions, including a civil nuclear cooperation agreement. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform plan, Saudi Arabia aims to generate substantial renewable energy and reduce emissions, with nuclear energy playing a significant role. Initially, this deal was tied to Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel. However, Saudi Arabia insists that normalization must include Israel recognizing a path to Palestinian statehood, which Israel opposes, putting normalization on hold.

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