[Rictor]

I know this news will probably make Sandwich do this, so my apologies in advance.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6167041.stm

Six oil-rich Gulf nations have said they are considering seeking nuclear technology for peaceful purposesOfficials from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE also urged a peaceful settlement to the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme.

The six Arab states said they were exploring the possibility of creating a shared nuclear programme.

They stressed their right to nuclear energy and emphasised that any programme would be peaceful.

This also pretty much destroys the US's case against Iran. Because the Gulf states, all US allies mind you, are now demanding the exact same thing as Iran. So either the US turns against the only Arab allies it has, or else it pursues a course even more blatantly hypocritical than it is now. If it gives a country such as Saudi Arabia, a charming bastion of democracy and human rights, the go-ahead while still attempting to stop the Iranian nuclear program, it will be blindingly obvious that the US is interested in nothing more than beating on Iran.

[Nuclear1]

This also pretty much destroys the US's case against Iran. Because the Gulf states, all US allies mind you, are now demanding the exact same thing as Iran. So either the US turns against the only Arab allies it has, or else it pursues a course even more blatantly hypocritical than it is now. If it gives a country such as Saudi Arabia, a charming bastion of democracy and human rights, the go-ahead while still attempting to stop the Iranian nuclear program, it will be blindingly obvious that the US is interested in nothing more than beating on Iran.

Yes, because Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, et al. have threatened to wipe Israel off the map recently.  Agreed, Saudi Arabia isn't exactly a shining beacon of justice, but I think the US (and maybe the world) would trust them a little more with nuclear technology than a theocracy under the supervision of an ultra right-wing nutjob like Iran?

[an0n]

I think we should give them all our nukes....

[vyper]

Indeed.

[Janos]

come on npt sucks

no

wait

oh ****s

[Turambar]

for once i agree with an0n

if anything it'd be fun to watch.

[Nuke]

nuke the world!
burn them all!

[Gank]

but I think the US (and maybe the world) would trust them a little more with nuclear technology than a theocracy under the supervision of an ultra right-wing nutjob like Iran?

Shows how little you know, Saudi is more ultra right-wing than Iran, bit rich to hear an american complaining about right-wing governments though, kinda pot and kettle.

Anyone else find it interesting the worlds greatest oil-producers are getting interested in nuclear power?

[Sandwich]

Anyone else find it interesting the worlds greatest oil-producers are getting interested in nuclear power?

You took the words right out of my mouth. What do they, of all nations on God's green Earth, need nuclear power for?

[Gank]

Number of reasons, strategic balance being one of them, they may be worried about having a nuclear Iran on one side and a nuclear Israel on the other. Could just be they want the playing field leveled.

The other reason is energy. Essentially, oils a finite resource, at some stage its going to run out. Thats not in dispute, the estimates of when it will happen are. The Saudis and co may be thinking this is going to happen sooner than we think, in most of the countries mentioned oil reserves are a state secret and not open to outside scrutiny. They could also be thinking the less they have to use, the more money they gain from selling and increasing prices as supply diminishes could offset the price of nuclear power.
http://www.peakoil.net/ for more info

I wouldnt worry about them trying to wipe you off the map, you're far to near for that to be a viable tactic, and the Saudis have always really seen you as a minor nuisance, countering persian influence being much higher on their agenda. Lebanon for example, where they are effectively taking the US-Israeli side against Shia influence.

[Rictor]

Yes, because Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, et al. have threatened to wipe Israel off the map recently.  Agreed, Saudi Arabia isn't exactly a shining beacon of justice, but I think the US (and maybe the world) would trust them a little more with nuclear technology than a theocracy under the supervision of an ultra right-wing nutjob like Iran?

Dude, at least you could have said the UAE or something. Saudi Arabia is quite a bit worse than Iran, and they also do not recognize Israel as a nation. In fact, you can't get in to the country is you have an Israeli stamp on your passport. Remeber where the majority of the 9/11 hijakcers came from? Where Osama is from?

Also consider that the Saudi government is a lot less stable than Iran's. While the US may talk about the people rising up against the evil, fascist mullahs, it's a fantasy. The Saudi government (aka the extended royal family) is under threat from Islamic militants, and if the House of Saud falls it will be bin Laden wannabes who take power.

[Bobboau]

true, but the bin Laden wannabes are the ones who have power right now in Iran, at least the Saudis try a little bit to at least superficaly no seem quite as insaine as they are. if I had to chose between Saudi Arabia haveing nukes and Iran haveing them, or just Saudi Arabia haveing them, you can probly bet wich of the two I'd prefer.

[Gank]

Uh-huh, and when some saudi radicals set one off in new york, you'll invade syria in retaliation.

One of the ways House of Saud combats extremism at home is by encouraging it abroad. Bin Ladin and the Taliban wouldnt have got anywhere without Saudi funding, while the Iranians actively worked against them. Salafist extremism is potentially much more dangerous to the west the Khomenitism. Best if you didnt let anyone have them, because you've got no real friends in that region.

[NGTM-1R]

The Saudis are rather schizoid on the subject. On the one hand they don't like us as a country, on the other they rely on us to ensure their safety. A good deal of the problem is related to the division of power in the Saudi monarchy. The Saudis aren't so mad as to directly fund any terroristic organization. That's what Iran does. Their method of dealing with extremism which you describe Gank has in large measure failed them. When the next generation of Saudi royalty comes to power they are likely to assume the Egyptian ultra-hardline stance against Islamic extremism.

[Polpolion]

Its times like these that I wish I lived... umm... Well, It seems as though there is no where in the world that hasn't been screwed up in the past few years somehow.

[Nuclear1]

but I think the US (and maybe the world) would trust them a little more with nuclear technology than a theocracy under the supervision of an ultra right-wing nutjob like Iran?

Shows how little you know, Saudi is more ultra right-wing than Iran, bit rich to hear an american complaining about right-wing governments though, kinda pot and kettle.

Rich, because that's possibly one of the worst cheap shots I've ever heard.  Did I ever lead you to believe that I support the neoconservatives in the US?  I detest extreme right-wing governments, be it Bush or Iran.  Get off your highhorse.

[Unknown Target]

But you're American! That must mean you're the epitome of right-wing ultra conservative Christian fundamentalism! I mean, he's such a learned and obviously well informed non-American, his completely non-biased and totally informed opinion must be true, because he's so different from all us poor degenerate Americans!


[sarcasm dripping off post]

[Ford Prefect]

Sarcasm would be dripping off the post if you hadn't included "[sarcasm dripping off post]".

[Gank]

Rich, because that's possibly one of the worst cheap shots I've ever heard.  Did I ever lead you to believe that I support the neoconservatives in the US?  I detest extreme right-wing governments, be it Bush or Iran.  Get off your highhorse.

Ya well you should expect these kind of things by now. You're going to use the same language expect to get tarred with the same brush.

But you're American! That must mean you're the epitome of right-wing ultra conservative Christian fundamentalism! I mean, he's such a learned and obviously well informed non-American, his completely non-biased and totally informed opinion must be true, because he's so different from all us poor degenerate Americans!

Thank you. Dont get upset about it though, its not yer fault you're ignorant, blame your society as a whole.

[achtung]

But you're American! That must mean you're the epitome of right-wing ultra conservative Christian fundamentalism! I mean, he's such a learned and obviously well informed non-American, his completely non-biased and totally informed opinion must be true, because he's so different from all us poor degenerate Americans!

Thank you. Dont get upset about it though, its not yer fault I'm ignorant, blame my shortsightedness, and stereotypical nature.

Fixed.