Greetings! In this issue we highlight new policies in Saudi Arabia, the UK and the U.S.; civil nuclear developments in the Middle East, Asia and Africa; and the growing risk of cyberattacks at nuclear power facilities. We also recommend several opinion pieces that caught our attention.

EDITOR'S NOTE A New Look for Our Nuclear Newsletter

We are excited to introduce our revised newsletter: Nuclear News and Views. We’ve changed the name to better reflect the many dimensions of nuclear security today, including the impact of new technologies, the challenges of cybersecurity and the growth in nuclear power in emerging economies. Our aim is to highlight important developments for you and offer an informed perspective based on our many years of work on these issues. We are grateful for your support and welcome your feedback.

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Nuclear Policy, Governance, and Geopolitics

On March 13, Saudi Arabia’s cabinet approved a national nuclear program policy that limits all Saudi Arabia’s nuclear activities to peaceful purposes. Saudi Arabia plans to construct 16 nuclear power plants (NPP) over the next 20-25 years and China, France, South Korea, Russia and the U.S. have bid to perform engineering, procurement and construction on two nuclear reactors. The Saudi government has also hired U.S. law firms to advise the country on the bids.   The UK government and its Office for Nuclear Regulation are working closely to ensure that the UK operates independently and responsibly after it leaves the EU and Euratom. The UK Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy Committee's report findings recommend the government maintain close ties with Euratom to minimize disruptions and unnecessary expenditures.   On March 12, the U.S. Energy and National Resources Committee advanced the Research and Innovation Act (S.2503), a bill that promotes advanced nuclear technology R&D. Throughout the year the Administration’s efforts have been coordinated to promote emerging technologies and strengthen U.S. leadership in science and technology innovation abroad. The U.S. nuclear industry is also leading efforts to revitalize America’s civil nuclear energy industry’s competitiveness abroad. Competition from Russia and China’s nuclear industries has prompted this action, in hopes that the U.S. can maintain international leadership in the market and establish global nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation norms and standards. Last week, North Korea expressed its willingness to hold dialogues with the U.S. and South Korea. A U.S.-North Korea high-level summit brings the opportunity to denuclearize North Korea but only if the U.S. carefully prepares itself by setting clear objectives, ground rules, and realistic expectations before the summit.

Civil Nuclear Developments

On March 5, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that the Middle East's nuclear energy generation capacity is expected to grow by 10.5 GWe by 2028, largely due to countries’ desire to enhance their energy security, reduce reliance on fossil fuel sources, and meet increasing electricity demands. On March 7, China announced its plans to start the construction of six-eight new nuclear reactors this year and complete two long-delayed foreign-designed 3rd generation reactors - AP1000 and the 1st unit of the Taishan European Pressurized Reactor project. The International Energy Agency reported that China could triple its nuclear capacity over the next 20 years, reshaping the energy markets. Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov visited African countries Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe to express Russia's interest on strengthening links and exploring opportunities for cooperation in trade, science, technology, including nuclear. Rosatom reported that Nigeria's NPP would save Nigeria approx. $14bn spent yearly on off-grid diesel generation.

Nuclear Security and Emerging Technologies As the energy sector becomes more dependent on technology, it becomes increasingly exposed to cyberattacks. According to the World Energy Council's report, cyberattacks have the potential to cross from the cyber realm to the physical world, causing massive operational failures.   Increased reports of North Korean cyberattacks on South Korea websites continue to show how the DPRK is becoming more powerful in the domain of cyberspace. Back in 2015, South Korea blamed the DPRK for conducting cyberattacks on Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Ltd and Korea Electric Power Corporation.

The Nuclear Conversation

Northeast Asia’s Inflection Point for Plutonium Stockpiling Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Mach 2 Putin's Nuclear Ambitions Raise Serious Proliferation Questions The Hill, March 6 Saudi Nuclear Deal Tests U.S. Civil Nuclear Relevance, Security Interests The GABI, March 6 Five Reasons Nuclear Energy Will Rebound in 2018 World Nuclear News, March 7

Spotlight PGS President Ken Luongo’s article “ Preventing a Nuclear Meltdown in the Middle East” recently published in The Hill explains how U.S. geopolitical and nuclear nonproliferation objectives are on a potential collision course as Saudi Arabia seeks to join the Middle East’s growing nuclear power club.

The Partnership for Global Security (PGS) is a recognized international leader and innovator in nuclear and transnational security policy developing actionable responses to 21st century security challenges by engaging international, private sector, and multidisciplinary expert partners to assess policy needs, identify effective strategies, and drive demonstrable results.

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