Experts react: Reading between the lines of the new US-Saudi nuclear agreement

The news has set off a reaction. On Tuesday evening, The Wall Street Journal reported that US President Donald Trump had approved a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia. The 123 agreement—named after Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act—would allow the US to transfer civilian nuclear material, technology, and equipment to Saudi Arabia. While dozens of countries have 123 agreements with the United States, the new deal with Riyadh reportedly might allow for uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia—which could be used to make nuclear weapons, raising the issue of nonproliferation. Below, Atlantic Council experts share their atomic insights.

Click to jump to an expert analysis:

Jennifer T. Gordon: A win for the United States over Russia and China

Matthew Kroenig: It would be a mistake to allow Saudi Arabia the capability for enrichment

Allison Minor: The Iran war increased the political urgency for this deal