Saudi Nuclear Ambitions Complicate Biden’s Mideast Push (1)

Saudi Arabia’s high-stakes bid to join the exclusive club of nuclear fuel-manufacturing nations faces significant technical and regulatory barriers that could prove tough for President Joe Biden to clear before next year’s election.

The Gulf Arab power has long sought nuclear capabilities commensurate with its rival Iran, whose uranium enrichment has been the focus of geopolitical wrangling. The demand has emerged as a key issue in negotiations for a grand bargain that would see Saudi Arabia formalize ties with Israel in return for US security guarantees.

Talks are advanced on the Saudi-US track and the Biden administration is keen ...