Infrastructure Security and Nuclear Power
Abstract
Nuclear power, national security and covert nuclear weapon programs have been intrinsically linked in the past. Such was the case in India, Israel, South Africa and Pakistan. At least thirteen Middle Eastern countries either announced new plans to explore atomic energy or revived preexisting nuclear power programs between February 2006 and January 2007. The Middle East and North Africa represent a region with countries (Algeria, Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia) representing a wide range of nuclear capabilities. In view of the ongoing debate about the Iranian nuclear power program, strategic stability in the Persian Gulf depends inter alia on the nuclear capabilities of these countries. Coupled with the rampant political instability and national nuclear issues shrouded in a great deal of secrecy, this provides a fertile breeding ground for speculations and hypotheses concerning the potential for covert nuclear weapon programs. In the following article, the nuclear infrastructure in Algeria, Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia will be reviewed to provide a basis for an objective assessment of the future risk of these countries engaging in a covert nuclear weapon program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA534515
Entities
People
- Friedrich Steinhausler
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School