History of the Modern Middle East / Module 25

21st-Century Conflicts and Challenges (II)

Nuclear politics are examined through Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. The lesson shows how one state's capacity changes the calculations of others.

Learning objectives

  • Analyze how nuclear capability shapes regional security calculations.
  • Compare the positions of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel in regional nuclear politics.

Transcript excerpt

Excerpt from the lesson transcript

If Iran were to develop a nuclear weapon, the next country to do so would be Saudi Arabia. They would not allow themselves to be left behind by Iran in terms of nuclear weapon capability. So Israel is a nuclear power, military nuclear power already, undeclared, they pretend nobody knows.