Saudi Arabia says it won't rule out building nuclear weapons

[Arcadiasix]

Saudi Arabia will not rule out building or acquiring nuclear weapons, the country’s ambassador to the United States has indicated.

Asked whether Saudi Arabia would ever build nuclear weapons in an interview with US news channel CNN, Adel Al-Jubeir said the subject was “not something we would discuss publicly”.

Pressed later on the issue he said: “This is not something that I can comment on, nor would I comment on.”

The ambassador’s reticence to rule out a military nuclear programme may reignite concerns that the autocratic monarchy has its eye on a nuclear arsenal.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-says-it-wont-rule-out-building-nuclear-weapons-10139229.html

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. They can just buy one from Pakistan./NT

[Buns_of_Fire]

4. Or, easier still, just buy Pakistan.

After all, they don't need to negotiate prices with a wholly-owned subsidiary.

First we got The Bomb, and that was good
'Cause we love peace and motherhood
Then Russia got The Bomb, but that's okay
'Cause the balance of power's maintained that way
Who's Next? -Tom Lehrer, "Who's Next?"

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. Or just barter oil for nukes./NT

[Buns_of_Fire]

7. Whichever way, our government wouldn't say a word about it. nt

[leveymg]

9. CIA Director Bush facilitated Saudi finance through BCCI of AQ Khan's nuclear program. "Safari Club"

Google it or see, http://journals.democraticunderground.com/leveymg/280

[Buns_of_Fire]

13. Fascinating. Thanks. nt

[Arcadiasix]

2. In other words if Iran's nuke program does not stop they are loading up

[leveymg]

10. KSA already is "loaded up" with nuclear weapons through their proxy, Pakistan.

The balance of power in the region would not change if Iran were to acquire its own nuclear weapons, as Israel and Saudi Arabia already have, either directly or by proxy.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

3. These weapons are the only 70 year old technology that is neither obsolete nor in wide use

Any nation with money and access to fissionable material can build them.

Same with ICBMs -- old technology.

[brush]

6. Bibi thought he had a headache before. Now this. nt

[davidn3600]

12. They are not building them because of Israel...

...they are building them because of Iran. Saudi Arabia is on the verge of fighting a proxy war with Iran in Yemen.

Israel has had nukes for decades already. The Saudis didnt care that much.

[jwirr]

8. When the whole ME has their bombs they will just incinerate themselves.

[Fred Sanders]

11. The size of today's nuclear bombs make Hiroshima look like a fire cracker.

No nation should even be allowed to threaten to make one, and the ones that made them need to get give them up.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki are in the little circle in the bottom left. The largest bomb exploded is on the right....and they can be made bigger and bigger.