A quest for the Arabian atom? Geopolitics, security, and national identity in the nuclear energy programs in the Middle East

Al‐Saidi, Mohammad; Haghirian, Mehran

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2020.101582

Cited by 21 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…For example, as to be explained later, both nuclear and renewable energies are delivered using megaprojects and used by Gulf states to display power and achievement. Extrinsic values might be more associated with nuclear energy (than renewables) since nuclear energy in the Gulf is largely replaceable by renewables, and can only be adequately differentiated in terms of real benefits by citing non-economic values such as geopolitical posturing [3]. Both nuclear and renewables are emerging energy resources in the Gulf region, and thus constitute important elements of the ongoing energy transition.…”

Section: Supporting Bodies Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The push for the nuclear energy in the Gulf shows the instrumentalization of alternative energies for geopolitical gains. This notion has been extensively examined by Al-Saidi and Haghirian [3], who linked the evolution and discourse of the nuclear power in the Gulf to posturing, rising tensions in the Gulf region and geopolitical rivalry (with Iran). In fact, the emergence of nuclear power as a seemingly stable option in the energy mix in the Gulf coincided with the resurrection of the Iranian nuclear program in the early 2000s.…”

Section: Reality and Choices Of (Regional) Geopolitics: The Nuclear Energy Prestigementioning

confidence: 99%

“…It can be linked to Iran in the public rhetoric of GCC states such as Saudi Arabia, who has openly hinted that it aspires to gain the same prestige from nuclear power of its regional rival Iran. Furthermore, all the political economic benefits from nuclear energy can be acquired by renewable energy, namely the benefits of diversification, centralized control, or preserving fossil fuels for exports [3]. For Saudi Arabia, solar energy might not be economically more favorable than natural gas (depending on the gas prices and the use purpose), while electricity generation from solar can become cheaper than nuclear, considering the total levelized cost [19].…”

Section: Reality and Choices Of (Regional) Geopolitics: The Nuclear Energy Prestigementioning

confidence: 99%

“…These wealthy countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates or UAE) have accelerated the push for alternative energies through targets for renewables as an integral part of ambitious national visions of economic diversification and low-carbon transformation [1,2]. At the same time, nuclear energy has been incorporated as part of the future energy policy mix, while consumers' energy tariffs have been significantly increased and the energy production sector restructured to allow for independent power suppliers (usually as public-private partnerships) [3][4][5]. Renewables (particularly solar energy) and nuclear energy-together described in this paper as alternative energies-are incorporated in ambitious plans to promote sustainable energy alongside the abundant oil and gas resources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While the political economic approaches are dominant in explaining the energy transition in the Gulf [5,[18][19][20], less attention has been paid to hidden/inferior factors that might be necessary to fully capture the push for alternative energies. A small number of factors such as geopolitics and the role of megaproject mentality in promoting modernization have been highlighted in some studies, indicating that energy transition is embedded in regional competition and rivalries for showcasing grandeur and affluence [2,3]. However, there has so far not been a systematization of non-economic factors in the Gulf energy transition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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From Economic to Extrinsic Values of Sustainable Energy: Prestige, Neo-Rentierism, and Geopolitics of the Energy Transition in the Arabian Peninsula

Al‐Saidi

2020

Energies

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Energy transition in the region of the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) has recently commenced and is now being implemented through large-scale renewable projects, nuclear plants, and energy efficiency measures in the built environment. This paper highlights how alternative energies are associated with non-economic factors such as prestige, modernity, and (soft or symbolic) power. It analyzes the specific ways of delivering energy diversification in the Gulf through renewable megaprojects, the reorganization of the energy sector, and the incorporation of nuclear energy as an add-on source. These decisions serve GCC states in showcasing modernity, maintaining centralized control, posturing geopolitically, and extending the rent distribution mechanisms. On one hand, the energy transition in the Gulf has been domesticated through policies and strategies suiting the political systems in the region. This can have an acceleration effect on this transition. On the other hand, the implications of the adaptation of the energy transition to the reality of the Gulf remain open. The success of this transition will depend on the ability of GCC states to ecologically modernize the Gulf societies, reduce environmental risks, and enhance GCC-wide cooperation.

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Section: Supporting Bodies Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reality and Choices Of (Regional) Geopolitics: The Nuclear Energy Prestigementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reality and Choices Of (Regional) Geopolitics: The Nuclear Energy Prestigementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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From Economic to Extrinsic Values of Sustainable Energy: Prestige, Neo-Rentierism, and Geopolitics of the Energy Transition in the Arabian Peninsula

Al‐Saidi

2020

Energies

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Does environmental stress affect economic growth: evidence from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries?

Sweidan

Elbargathi

2021

Clean Techn Environ Policy

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This paper empirically investigates the influence of environmental stress on economic growth in the GCC countries during . We use a panel cointegration analysis and compute an autoregressive distributed lag model. Our paper is motivated by the high CO2 emissions per capita and environmental stress in these countries relative to other countries. We assume that the income per capita is a function of the natural resource's rents and environmental stress. Our findings show that environmental stress has a positive and significant effect on economic growth, mainly in the long run. Further, the natural resources' rents have a significant positive effect in the short run, while the long run impact is negative. Our paper's policy implication states that economic policymakers should monitor and evaluate future environmental stress outcomes in these countries. There is no guarantee that the positive influence prevails. Therefore, they should diversify their economies and energy resources.

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The environmental and energy policies to enable sustainable consumption and production in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

Sweidan

2021

Clean Techn Environ Policy

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Graphic abstract Sustainable consumption and production mean that economic development should satisfy the needs of the current population without jeopardizing the lives of future generations. Relying on the hydrocarbon sector generates a significant trade-off between economic development and the environment. The GCC governments have an essential role in this process and can affect the outcomes. The policies that have been implemented in the GCC countries to protect the environment and empower sustainable consumption and production were explored and identified. Moreover, the success of these policies in achieving their goals was assessed. The analytical approach and utilizing the previous studies’ findings were used by the current study. This study finds that the institutional actions of the Gulf countries are not enough to generate sustainable consumption and production. These countries remain strongly affected by the hydrocarbon sector, and the diversification achievements are weak. Further, the energy price reforms have many problems as a tool to enhance sustainable consumption and production. Additionally, these countries work under the concept of entrepreneurial state capitalist. The government controls all the sectors, including the private sector, to secure the regime. The policy implication of the current paper is that the GCC countries should recover the process of diversifying the economy, enhancing the movements toward the free market economy, and adopting an efficient energy-environmental policy by enhancing more concrete actions toward new technologies. It includes shifting to renewable energy, i.e., solar and wind.

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A quest for the Arabian atom? Geopolitics, security, and national identity in the nuclear energy programs in the Middle East

Cited by 21 publications

References 54 publications

From Economic to Extrinsic Values of Sustainable Energy: Prestige, Neo-Rentierism, and Geopolitics of the Energy Transition in the Arabian Peninsula

From Economic to Extrinsic Values of Sustainable Energy: Prestige, Neo-Rentierism, and Geopolitics of the Energy Transition in the Arabian Peninsula

Does environmental stress affect economic growth: evidence from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries?

The environmental and energy policies to enable sustainable consumption and production in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

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