Category Archives: Nawaf Obaid

Nawaf Obaid: Saudi Arabia Is Preparing Itself In Case Iran Develops Nuclear Weapons

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The below article from National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Distinguished International Affairs Fellow Dr. Nawaf Obaid was published by The Telegraph on June 29, 2015. In addition to his position at the National Council, Dr. Obaid is a Visiting Fellow and Associate Instructor at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs as well as a Senior Fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. The views expressed are his own.

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Saudi Arabia is preparing itself in case Iran develops nuclear weapons

By Dr. Nawaf Obaid

June 29, 2015

(The Telegraph) As the June 30 deadline approaches for the P5+1 – a group of nations including the US, Russia and China – and Iran to complete a nuclear agreement, all signs seem to be pointing to the fact that Britain alongside the US and France seem to be caving in on some of their long-standing central demands. Foremost among these is that Iran must be transparent about the “possible military dimensions” (PMDs) of its nuclear program.

This means that the ultimate agreement could leave open the potential for Iran to weaponize its nuclear program and acquire and then possibly deploy a nuclear weapon. Such a scenario represents a state of extreme danger to multiple nations, but few more so than Saudi Arabia, which has long been Iran’s primary opponent in the Middle East power balance.

Saudi Arabia has for past several years been laying the groundwork for a civil nuclear program with no PMDs. However, there is a strong possibility that the Kingdom might begin to engage in contingency planning for a defensive nuclear program with PMDs. This planning represents an emerging Saudi nuclear defence doctrine.

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Nawaf Obaid: Yes, Saudi Arabia could get a nuclear weapon

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The below Op Ed from National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Distinguished International Affairs Fellow Dr. Nawaf Obaid was published by CNN on June 20, 2015. It responds to a June 11, 2015 Op Ed by Fareed Zakaria published in The Washington Post, “Why Saudi Arabia can’t get a nuclear weapon.” In an effort to shed light on what Saudi Arabia might do in the event Iran were to produce a nuclear weapon, Zakaria alleged, among other things, that Saudi Arabian “incompetence” would prevent it from acquiring the necessary technology to do likewise. Dr. Obaid rebuts this view. In addition to his position at the National Council, Dr. Obaid is a Visiting Fellow and Associate Instructor at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs as well as a Senior Fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. The views expressed are his own.

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Actually, Saudi Arabia could get a nuclear weapon

By Dr. Nawaf Obaid

June 20, 2015

(CNN) Now that the Obama administration has largely given up its resistance to Iran’s development of some kind of nuclear program, the Middle East is poised to see a change in the balance of power. As the Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom recently stated, should Iran acquire a nuclear weapon, “all options” could be on the table when it comes to the Saudi response. That could include an indigenous nuclear program. And although some commentators remain skeptical about the Kingdom’s ability to produce nuclear weapons, I would argue that it actually has the will and the ability to do so.

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Dr. Nawaf Obaid Joins NCUSAR as Fellow & International Advisory Committee Member

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NATIONAL COUNCIL ON U.S.-ARAB RELATIONS WELCOMES DR. NAWAF OBAID AS DISTINGUISHED INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FELLOW AND MEMBER OF ITS INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Obaid Joins Collective of National Council Scholars and Advisors Contributing Analysis as well as Guiding U.S.-Arab Relations Educational Programs

Washington, DC: The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations [ncusar.org], founded in 1983, is pleased to announce that Dr. Nawaf Obaid has been named a Distinguished International Affairs Fellow and also a member of the Council’s International Advisory Committee. While the Council’s International Advisory Committee does not formally govern the organization, its members make suggestions, recommendations, assist with the Council’s development objectives, and provide strategic support to the Council’s board of directors together with its president and chief executive officer.

In announcing the appointments, National Council Founding President and CEO Dr. John Duke Anthony said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Obaid to these two important positions within the Council. His insightful scholarship on Saudi Arabia’s strategic and geopolitical challenges and opportunities is vital to understanding the kingdom’s growing role in regional and world affairs. Dr. Obaid will be a valuable resource and advisor as we work to strengthen and expand the Council’s U.S.-Arab relations leadership development and bridge-building educational efforts.”

On May 22, 2015, Dr. Obaid delivered a presentation titled “Saudi Arabia Ascendant” at a National Council Congressional and public affairs briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The event, held in the Rayburn House Office Building, focused on “Leadership Changes in Saudi Arabia: What Implications for the Kingdom, the Region, and the U.S.?” Slides from Dr. Obaid’s presentation are available on the Council’s website: ncusar.org.

Dr. Obaid has been a Visiting Fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs since September 2012. He is also an Associate Instructor for the Harvard Study Group on the Rehabilitation of the Syrian Refugees and for the Winter Field Study Course in the Middle East. Additionally, Dr. Obaid is a Lecturer at the London Academy of Diplomacy at Stirling University and a Senior Fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Further, he serves as the CEO of the Essam and Dalal Obaid Foundation.

From 2004 to 2007, Dr. Obaid was Special Advisor for Strategic Communications to HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal, while Prince Turki served as the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United Kingdom & Ireland, and then to the United States. From 2007 to 2011, Dr. Obaid worked with the Saudi Royal Court. Most recently, he served as Special Counselor to Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2014.

About the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations: Founded in 1983 and based in Washington, DC, the National Council is an American non-profit, non-governmental, educational organization dedicated to improving American knowledge and understanding of the Arab world. Information about the Council’s program, projects, events, and activities can be found at ncusar.org.

Implications of Leadership Changes in Saudi Arabia

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Dr. Nawaf Obaid speaks in the Rayburn House Office Building.

Dr. Nawaf Obaid delivers a presentation titled “Saudi Arabia Ascendant” at a May 22, 2015, NCUSAR briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

On May 22, 2015, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee hosted a public affairs briefing on “Leadership Changes in Saudi Arabia: What Implications for the Kingdom, the Region, and the U.S.?” in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC.

The featured specialist and presenter was Dr. Nawaf Obaid, Visiting Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University; Lecturer, London Academy of Diplomacy, Stirling University; and Senior Fellow, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Dr. Obaid delivered a presentation titled “Saudi Arabia Ascendant.” National Council Founding President & CEO Dr. John Duke Anthony served as moderator and facilitator.

A podcast of the program and Dr. Obaid’s slide presentation are available below. The podcast can also be found in iTunes along with recordings of other National Council programs: http://bit.ly/itunes-ncusar.