How to Prevent a Nuclear Arms Race in the Middle East: Invest in Stability Instead of Conflict
There are opportunities for peace in the region—America must not squander them.
In order to ensure that nuclear fuel is not diverted to a weapons program, the United States will partner with Saudi Arabia, the GCC countries, Egypt and Jordan to create a globally responsible fuel cycle. Together, the transport of fuel, oversight of plant operations, and recovery and disposal of spent fuel will be done with absolute security. We call this approach the “in and out fuel cycle.”
After its first foreign visit to the region, the Trump administration is positioning the United States to engage with traditional Arab partners to form a series of public-private partnerships with six Arab governments in the region. Two special blessings will emerge from this process. First, hundreds of thousands of good jobs will be created for future generations of young Arabs, foreign partners and Americans. These jobs will solidify strategic political and economic relationships for mutual benefit that are inherently built to last for eighty years. Second, the American nuclear industry will be rejuvenated.
Historic challenges are met by statesmen with a grand vision and the fortitude to take action. The United States and its European allies met the challenges after World War II and kept European peace and prosperity for seven decades. History now calls on the United States and its visionary allies in the Middle East and beyond to join together and be guided by a grand vision to lead the region to an era of stability and prosperity. Never before has this been more urgently needed.
Gen. Jack Keane (Army, ret.) is a former Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and the chairman of the Institute for the Study of War.
Amb. Dennis Ross served as President Bill Clinton’s envoy for Arab-Israeli peace, and is currently the Counselor at the Washington Institute for the Near East
Gen. Keith Alexander (Army, ret.) served as the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command and Director at National Security Agency
Hon. Robert McFarlane served as National Security Advisor to President Reagan and is the Co-founder of the U.S. Energy Security Council.