A while ago I blogged about countries in the Middle East who have recently expressed interest in pursuing peaceful nuclear energy programs.
That list now also includes Jordan. Why should they go for nuclear energy? As King Abudllah II recently told Haaretz, they are keeping up with the Joneses.
But, the rules have changed on the nuclear subject throughout the whole region. Where I think Jordan was saying, “we’d like to have a nuclear-free zone in the area,” after this summer, everybody’s going for nuclear programs.
The Egyptians are looking for a nuclear program. The GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] are looking at one, and we are actually looking at nuclear power for peaceful and energy purposes. We’ve been discussing it with the West.
Jon Wolfsthal told AP that, “the sudden interest in nuclear programs is ‘clearly tied up in the political battle between Iran and the West.”
Two thoughts on explaining the surge in nuclear energy interests: On one hand, it may be a signal to Iran from an increasing number of Middle Eastern neighbors that they are not going to let it stay ahead for long. However, these Middle Eastern states are not willing to side with the US in accusing Iran of a weapons program. Rather, the pressure is more subtle. The fact that this announcement came out in Haaretz seems intentional and may suggest the anti-Iranian perspective. (The AP article notes it may also be an attempt to reasure Israel.)
On the other hand, I can see how Jordan’s announcement could have less to do with Iran and more to do with the neighborhood in general. If other countries decide to pursue nuclear energy programs, Jordan may move in that direction in order to keep up as a matter of prestige, even if pressuring Iran was not a top motivation.