Trump links Saudi nuclear deal to Abraham Accords
DiplomacyComments
The 123 Agreement requires specific congressional notification and approval periods. Even if the executive branch settles the political dispute, the legislative timeline for nuclear cooperation is notoriously rigid.
saudi's already hedging with china to avoid this exact lever.
Reminds me of the 2017 dance around the JCPOA. Do we think the current administration has the actual legislative backing to guarantee a nuclear deal regardless of the Saudi response?
With Houthi attacks on the Encelia and Layla pushing oil over 100 dollars, the Saudis have more leverage over US energy stability than they did a year ago. It is hard to force a diplomatic pivot when the US is terrified of a price spike.
Why focus on the oil? This is about who controls the next century of power in the Gulf. If Saudi Arabia pivots to Beijing for their reactors, the Abraham Accords become a footnote.
If the US is treating nuclear tech as a diplomatic chip, it may be because the non-proliferation risks are too high to ignore without a regional security pact. A civilian nuclear program would be far easier to manage if Saudi Arabia and Israel were formally aligned.