Trump Offers Saudi Arabia Civil Nuclear Technology, Breaking Decades-Old US Policy
On July 22, Donald Trump agreed to provide Saudi Arabia with civil nuclear technology, a move that reverses a long-standing US policy of denying such assistance to Riyadh out of concern for Israel's security. For decades, successive US presidents refused Saudi requests for nuclear cooperation, fearing it would undermine Israel's status as the region's sole nuclear power. The last such request was made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to President Joe Biden in summer 2023, and its rejection contributed to Saudi Arabia's continued refusal to normalize relations with Israel. Trump's decision marks a historic shift, though the exact motivations remain unclear. The article reconstructs the events leading to this policy change, highlighting the geopolitical implications for the Middle East.
Key facts
- Trump promised Saudi Arabia civil nuclear technology on July 22.
- Previous US presidents had denied such technology to Saudi Arabia.
- The policy was maintained to protect Israel's nuclear monopoly in the region.
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested nuclear technology from Biden in summer 2023.
- Biden's rejection contributed to Saudi Arabia's refusal to normalize ties with Israel.
- The article is published in der Freitag by Sabine Kebir.
Entities
Institutions
- der Freitag
Locations
- Saudi Arabia
- Israel
- United States