Nuclear power suddenly popular in middle east
THE SPECTRE of a nuclear race in the Middle East was raised yesterday when six Arab states announced that they were embarking on programmes to master atomic technology.
The countries involved were named by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. Tunisia and the UAE have also shown interest.
All of these countries are interested in civilian nuclear power, suddenly, out of the blue. This may be the biggest disaster of Bush's presidency, in long term consequences. If the middle east goes nuclear, it is only a matter of time till one ends up getting used.
Of these Egypt is probably the best placed. They can make a good case for civilian nuclear power because they have a big population and limited natural energy resources. Plus they at least some native science and industrial base to build on, and the west will be loath to cut them off. They have also been making the most noise about possibly getting a nuclear bomb.
Saudia Arabia and the UAE have money to burn. Saudia Arabia is the interesting one here, having flip-flopped from pushing for a nuclear free region to seeking their own nuclear power. I guess they realized that no matter how close their connection with the US power brokers, the US will never lean on Isreal.
The other ones are third tier countries, but so is North Korea. Given enough time and access to a source of fissionable materials most countries could hack out a few simple bombs.
Jay