The United States and the UAE now have an agreement wherein the UAE can utilize nuclear power reactors as a civilian energy source, but will import and export nuclear material and waste. Hmm. This means that the UAE is the first Arab state to develop nuclear capabilities. The NY editorial board points out the obvious: it can't be coincidence that they are launching this campaign, coupled with very slick lobbying efforts in Washington, coterminously with Iran's nuclear project. (Although the editorial does seem to waffle between a realist stance on geopolitics and modernity cheerleading). The Gulf States are, in fact, considering a joint civilian nuclear energy effort that would include Iran. It looks like Hillary Clinton will support efforts of this nature as Secretary of State; we’ll see.
