My correspondent responds to my last remark concerning attempts to transfer nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia:
I’m surprised I didn’t mention this earlier: Saudi Arabia seems intent upon having their cake and eating it too at the expense of the rest of the world. They’ll sell their oil to gain riches, but will power their nation with nuclear and renewables, and make themselves a nuclear power. Of course, by the end of the century, it may well be too hot for humans to even live in Saudi Arabia at all.
I’m visualizing the world’s largest geodesic domes encompassing their cities.
While the attempts to transfer the makings for nuclear weapons by American business & military men is naturally quite worrying, since it appears to be completely commerce-related, the performance of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) has been dismal. If he continues to fail to reach the standard required of a Saudi royal, there’s a few possible things that might happen:
- He’ll be replaced. But is King Salman, reportedly ailing, really up for replacing his favorite son?
- He’ll continue blundering on, alienating family and Saudi business people, and possibly get himself knocked off.
- He’ll assume he can continue the authoritarian act outside of his country and get his hand burned.
- He’ll ascend to the throne at the passing of King Salman, doesn’t improve his judgment, and Saudi Arabia continues to blunder along.
- The royals are overthrown by dissatisfied subjects.
- He improves his judgment and takes command of a nuclear project.
Which will happen? Which is even best? Hopefully, we can keep #6 out of the mix through the efforts of the FBI and other agencies tasked with keeping nuclear technology out of unauthorized hands.