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Sunday, March 02, 2014

Trouble in Paradise?

The Saudis are worried about our ability to defend them against Iran which Saudi Arabia increasingly worries will go nuclear. Is Pakistan declining a Saudi request for nuclear warheads for their Chinese-made missiles?

Granted, I'm only speculating that Saudi Arabia wants to collect on their investment in Pakistan's "Islamic bomb" and military cooperation in the past.

So take my further speculation with whatever quantity of salt you feel appropriate.

But is this news a sign of Saudi anger at a Pakistani refusal to provide nuclear warheads (tip to Defense Industry Daily)?

Reflecting growing congruence in bilateral ties, India and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday inked a defence cooperation pact to take their strategic partnership further in areas of security.

I only ask because the Pakistanis consider India the main enemy. I can't imagine that Saudi Arabia would take the step of signing such a pact if Pakistan was still considered a source for a nuclear deterrent.

Did we pressure Pakistan to keep their nukes close, despite past Saudi financial support for that project?

But India and Iran have decent relations.

It is puzzling.