When US President Barack Obama promised in 2009 to work towards "a world without nuclear weapons", experts in non-proliferation cheered. More than two years later, they now have a reason to grumble.
The news that the Obama administration is considering deals with Jordan and Vietnam that would, in part, allow the right to enrich nuclear fuel, upends the accepted wisdom on developing new nuclear energy programmes. Worse, it gives Iran - where uranium enrichment is a source of international concern - a false justification to continue business as usual.
Countries that aspire to the peaceful production of nuclear energy ink deals with the US - known as 123 Agreements - for a number of reasons, from securing affordable fuel to gaining access to know-how. Enrichment, while a domestic right enshrined in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (which Jordan, Vietnam and Iran, have ratified), is costly, cumbersome and makes little economic sense for countries operating fewer than a dozen reactors.
But because enrichment is also one way to a weapon, discouraging it was seen as a key piece of the Obama administration's non-proliferation playbook. Now, that tool looks like it's been weakened.
These are very early days for any shift in US nuclear policy. Any new deal between Washington and aspiring states that allows for enrichment would raise hackles in Congress. But nonetheless, Washington should not alienate its existing partners in non-proliferation.
When the United Arab Emirates and the United States entered a nuclear cooperation deal in December 2009, they did so out of mutual interest. That deal has been called the "gold standard" in the industry. The plan, which remains in force, provides the UAE with fuel guarantees and licensing help for its programme. The US, in turn, becomes a vendor in a safe, well-regulated civilian nuclear programme.
Washington can and should build on this approach. More importantly, it should renew calls for a nuclear fuel bank in which supplier states would produce fuel for aspiring nuclear powers. The UAE supports such a bank, and Mr Obama mentioned it in his Prague address two years ago. That is clearly the best path for all involved.
When countries such as the UAE voluntarily forego enrichment, we tell the world that energy is the only aspiration. That benefits the country, the region and the world.
Editor's note: The original version of this editorial incorrectly stated enrichment is the fastest way to a nuclear weapon. Rather, reprocessing of spent fuel is the fastest route.
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
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Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding