Expert concerns about US-Saudi nuclear agreement

A new US-Saudi Arabia civilian nuclear agreement has been described as 'revolutionary' by a nuclear expert.

Alex Bollfrass, Head of Strategy, Technology and Arms Control at International Institute for Strategic Studies in Berlin, speaking to The Associated Press, sai the United States is taking a "revolutionary new approach" to its nuclear non-proliferation policy.

The Trump administration is expected to sign an agreement with Saudi Arabia as early as Wednesday that could potentially provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program.

The deal - confirmed to The Associated Press by two people familiar with the decision who were not authorized to discuss details and spoke on condition of anonymity - could allow for the building of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia after a joint U.S.-Saudi study.

Bollfrass says that what is unique about this deal is the fact that the US is not asking Saudi Arabia to abide by the 'highest possible safeguard' which are standard and available today and is set to theoretically transfer highly sensitive technology without the oversight that would be expected.

The agreement is not expected to include the International Atomic Energy Agency 's Additional Protocol, which would allow for more monitoring, inspections and verification, according to one of the people familiar with the decision on the deal.

Bollfrasss believes that though this deal is not something to be frightened about, it certainly warrants a level of concern.

The US has played a role in establishing the rules of setting precedents on nuclear technology according to Bollfrasss, so this new relaxed approach could mean that other providers of nuclear technology such as Russia and China may not feel the need to bound themselves to the 'old rules'.

The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, speaking on  Wednesday, assured that the U.S. would not reach any agreement with any country that could lead to the risk of proliferation

The deal, expected to last 30 years and involve U.S. firms in developing the program, is expected to be submitted for review to Congress, where it could face opposition.