| ID | 103804 |
| Title Proper | Nuclear arms race in the Middle East |
| Other Title Information | myth or reality |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Bahgat, Gawdat |
| Publication | 2011. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Since the early 2000s Iran's nuclear program has been a major focus of international and regional policy. Many policy makers and scholars have expressed their concern that if Iran "goes nuclear" other Middle Eastern countries, particularly Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, will follow suit. This author argues against this conventional wisdom. As a NATO member, Turkey is a special case. The analysis suggests that security is the main reason why countries pursue nuclear weapons. Egypt and Saudi Arabia (along with other Arab countries) have learned how to live with a perceived nuclear Israel. Iran with a nuclear capability, if it happens, would not pose a security threat to either Cairo or Riyadh. In short, the author argues that an Iran with nuclear capability will further destabilize the Middle East and will be a negative development, but it is not likely to make Egypt and Saudi Arabia "go nuclear." |
| `In' analytical Note | Mediteranean Quarterly Vol. 22, No. 1; Win 2011: p27-40 |
| Journal Source | Mediteranean Quarterly Vol. 22, No. 1; Win 2011: p27-40 |
| Key Words | Nuclear Arms ; Middle East ; Iran - Nuclear Program ; Nuclear Proliferation ; Egypt ; Saudi Arabia ; Iraq |