Since the 1970s, Robert Einhorn has played a prominent role on arms control and nuclear non-proliferation in the United States, either as a federal employee or as a think tank expert. Now a senior fellow at Brookings, he was previously a State Department Assistant Secretary for Non-Proliferation and later a Special Advisor on Non-Proliferation and Arms Control. He spoke to Al Majalla about the US-Saudi nuclear deal and the confusing messaging following its signing.

How do you view the nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia?

We are currently in a state of confusion. The agreement was signed by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and his Saudi negotiating partner. But following the formal signature, President Donald Trump went on social media to add a new condition: no deal if Saudi Arabia does not normalise relations with Israel.

It is doubtful that Riyadh had advanced warning of the new condition. But senior American officials were just as surprised as Saudi officials. The 123 Agreement (in reference to Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act 1954, meaning a legal pact that must be signed before any transfer of American nuclear material, equipment, or knowledge) was the........

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