Nuclear energy will diversify Middle Eastern ties

Significance

Rosatom’s nuclear energy contracts with Iran, Egypt, Turkey and Jordan signal a growth in Russian soft power in the region. Meanwhile, the United States is conspicuous by its absence in both reactor sales and nuclear cooperation.

Impacts

• Russian hegemony in regional uranium supplies could offer political leverage.
• Nuclear energy programmes will give leaders further justification to strengthen state security mechanisms.
• The presence of nuclear material in the Middle East region will increase Western concerns over regime security and survival.
• Civil nuclear power could contribute to anxieties over a nuclear arms race.
• US disengagement from civil nuclear power in the Middle East may weaken its influence over non-proliferation.