Trump Pursues Unsafeguarded US-Saudi Nuclear Pact

President Donald Trump has informed Congress of his intent to pursue a civil nuclear pact, known as a 123 Agreement, with Saudi Arabia. This agreement notably omits non-proliferation safeguards that the United States has historically deemed crucial to prevent the development of nuclear weapons. The proposed pact would allow Saudi Arabia to potentially enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel, pathways to nuclear weapons. This development has sparked significant concern among arms control groups like the Arms Control Association and various members of the United States===United States Congress, who fear it could trigger a new global nuclear arms race, especially given the recent expiration of strategic arms limitation treaties between Russia and the United States, and China's expanding nuclear arsenal. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia has previously stated that the kingdom would seek nuclear weapons if its regional rival, Iran, were to develop them. The United States===United States Congress has 90 days to pass resolutions opposing the agreement, otherwise, it will go into effect, allowing Saudi Arabia to proceed with its civil nuclear program.