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Nuclear Ambitions

Inspired by Iran, Arab Countries Pursue Atomic Energy

With Tehran moving fast to develop its nuclear program, many Arab countries are following. From Egypt to Yemen, countries are seeking to establish civilian nuclear programs. But experts fear that some will also seek to develop the bomb.

With supplies of oil and gas -- and even water -- diminishing, a number of Arab countries are ratcheting up their efforts to create nuclear energy programs.

Last week, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced that his country would build four nuclear reactors by 2020 -- a move he hailed as an "historic decision."

Other Arab countries are also pushing ahead with their nuclear pursuits. In July, Libya signed a cooperation agreement with France on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Morocco has also cut a deal with the French company Areva to create a uranium enrichment research program. Meanwhile, French state power company EDF has said it would advise the country as it makes the shift to nuclear energy.

Jordan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have also expressed interest in developing civilian nuclear programs.

In addition to dwindling resources, the countries are also alarmed by the sheer determination of Tehran to forge ahead with its nuclear ambitions -- especially the Egyptians, who fear that Tehran's mullahs will upset the balance of power in the Middle East if they successfully build a nuclear bomb.

Observers assume that some of these countries will also pursue military nuclear strategies in the shadow of their civilian programs.

dsl/spiegel