Is Saudi Arabia a nuclear threat?
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Authors
McDowell, Steven R.
Subjects
Saudi Arabia
proliferation
nuclear weapons
ballistic missile
proliferation
nuclear weapons
ballistic missile
Advisors
Russell, James
Lavoy, Peter R.
Date of Issue
2003-09
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
ith a relatively small populace against several regional adversaries. The 1979 Iranian Revolution and subsequent overthrow of the Shah, a U.S. ally, sent shockwaves across the Gulf states and prompted the Saudis to increase defense spending and purchase the longest-range ballistic missile in the Gulf region: the Chinese CSS-2. These missiles have since reached the end of their lifecycle and the Saudi regime is now considering their replacement. This thesis examines the potential for the Saudis to replace their aging missile force with a nuclear-tipped inventory. The United States has provided for the external security of the oil Kingdom through informal security agreements, but a deterioration in U.S.-Saudi relations may compel the Saudis to acquire nuclear weapons in order to deter the ballistic missile and WMD threats posed by its regional adversaries. Saudi Arabia has been a key pillar of the U.S. strategy in the Persian Gulf. However, a nuclear-armed Saudi Arabia would undermine the international nonproliferation regime and would trigger a destabilizing arms race in the region.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
xiv, 81 p. : col. ill. ;
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.