Walking the Line: Evaluating Saudi Arabia\u27s Nuclear Actions and Looking to the Future

Although it has been decades since the end of the Cold War, nuclear proliferation is an ever-pertinent matter for the international political system–one that concerns the security of each nation. Unfortunately, much international attention has turned away from nuclear concerns, despite multiple countries having the means and interests to pursue nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia poses a particularly interesting threat of proliferation for a number of reasons, including: regional tensions with nuclear activity, existing nuclear infrastructure, and expressed interest in pursuing a nuclear weapons program. Like any country, Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of nuclear weapons would drastically change international dynamics. However, they might be more prone to proliferation in the near future than most realize. By examining past nuclear-activity-treaty participation and applying theories of proliferation to the country’s current situation, this article aims to explain why Saudi Arabia is unlikely to pursue a nuclear weapons program, except for very specific circumstances, despite appearances otherwise