In a move that has many people talking, the United States and Saudi Arabia have struck an agreement for a civilian nuclear program. This deal, which is a big win for the Saudis, sets the stage for the kingdom to potentially build several nuclear reactors in a few years. But wait, there’s more! The arrangement also includes plans for a study on whether Saudi Arabia can mine uranium within its own borders and even enrich that uranium at home. It seems like the kingdom is preparing to power up in more ways than one.

Under this deal, American companies will play a major role in helping Saudi Arabia develop its nuclear reactors. While the Trump administration insists that there will be safeguards in place to ensure that the uranium enriched in Saudi Arabia doesn’t lead to nuclear weapons, some might wonder if this is a case of “trust but verify.” After all, two major concessions have been granted to the Saudis: the right to enrich uranium domestically and a pass on stricter monitoring from the International Atomic Energy Agency. That sounds like a recipe for both opportunity and worry.

So, what does this all mean for Saudi Arabia? Well, getting access to nuclear power could free up their oil resources, allowing them to sell more of it overseas. With the demand for oil as high as a kite, this could mean a significant bump in their economic power. Plus, if there are indeed enough uranium resources to tap into, it could spark a whole new industry for the kingdom. Talk about mining for gold—or should we say, uranium?

But, there’s a catch, and it’s a pretty big one. This deal has stirred concerns about non-proliferation in a region already buzzing with tension. With the U.S. embroiled in a conflict with Iran over its own nuclear ambitions, the last thing the Middle East needs is another country waving the nuclear flag. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has indicated in the past that if Iran develops nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia might feel compelled to follow suit. This isn’t just a fairy tale; it’s a serious issue that could lead to an arms race across the region, and folks are understandably uneasy about what that could mean for peace.

Saudi Arabia isn’t stepping into the world of nuclear energy overnight. It’s going to take several years before they can truly harness nuclear power, and should they choose to pursue nuclear weapons, that journey would be even longer. Nevertheless, this agreement ties the U.S. and the Saudi regime together more closely than ever before. The future landscape of the Middle East could be shaping up to look quite different, and the international community will be watching closely to see how this all unfolds.