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Trump Approves Nuclear Deal With Saudi Arabia

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thursday

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at a landmark U.S.-Saudi Arabia nuclear deal, White House threats against Iranian civilian infrastructure, and Ukraine’s new commander in chief.

U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a landmark agreement with Saudi Arabia to help the country develop a civilian nuclear program, the Wall Street Journal first reported. The deal is expected to be formally signed by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Wednesday. Notably, though, the deal reportedly does not include the United States’ usual “gold standard,” which bars partner countries from enriching uranium or reprocessing atomic fuel—both of which can be used to make a nuclear warhead.

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at a landmark U.S.-Saudi Arabia nuclear deal, White House threats against Iranian civilian infrastructure, and Ukraine’s new commander in chief.

U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a landmark agreement with Saudi Arabia to help the country develop a civilian nuclear program, the Wall Street Journal first reported. The deal is expected to be formally signed by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Wednesday. Notably, though, the deal reportedly does not include the United States’ usual “gold standard,” which bars partner countries from enriching uranium or reprocessing atomic fuel—both of which can be used to make a nuclear warhead.

The United States and Saudi Arabia have discussed potential nuclear cooperation for years, but progress was slow moving until last April, when Wright traveled to Riyadh to begin establishing a preliminary framework. That outline has since transformed into a 30-year deal estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars.

Under the reported agreement, which has not yet been released, U.S. companies will play a central role in the development of Saudi Arabia’s civil nuclear infrastructure. Trump administration officials argue that having U.S. companies involved means Washington can exert its influence on Riyadh’s nuclear ambitions, monitor its program to prevent military uses, and shut out foreign competitors that are hoping to gain a foothold in the region.

U.S. and Saudi officials will also conduct a two-year joint study to determine whether the country requires uranium enrichment capabilities. If the study finds that enrichment is warranted, then the pact includes a provision that will allow U.S.........

© Foreign Policy