CSR Podcast Episode 5 with David Michel and Christine Parthemore

Welcome to the Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) Podcast Network!
Here we speak with leading experts who are working to anticipate,
analyze, and address core systemic risks to security in the 21st
Century. Our fifth episode focuses on climate, nuclear, and
security dynamics in Iran and Saudi Arabia. 
https://videopress.com/v/3Vs7GyIT?preloadContent=metadata Episode
5: with David Michel and Christine Parthemore (April, 2020) Saudi
Arabia and Iran are geopolitical rivals that have been at the
forefront of global security discourse for the last several years.
In this episode, host Dr. Sweta Chakraborty speaks to David Michel,
a Senior Research Fellow with the Center for Climate and Security
and a Research Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, and
Christine Parthemore, CEO of the Council on Strategic Risks. 
Nuclear developments are a significant security concern in the
Middle East and North Africa. This podcast explores the trends
unfolding within Iran and Saudi Arabia. With the U.S. out of the
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an important mechanism
intended to unite nations appears to be losing its power to taper
back nuclear developments and contribute to global stability.
Tehran announced that it is now actively enriching uranium,
flouting JCPOA guidelines as European signatories attempt to curb
these potentially destabilizing activities. Alongside these
measures, the government is building more reactors, one of which is
in direct partnership with Moscow.  Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is
building a small nuclear research reactor and plans to construct at
least two large nuclear energy plants. The United States and China,
among others, have proposed partnerships to help launch a Saudi
civilian nuclear program. Conversations with the United States have
stalled due to disagreements with Riyadh over details of a 123
Agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation. At the same time, Iran
and Saudi Arabia are struggling with water and environmental
security challenges. Both countries are characterized by arid
landscapes, low precipitation rates, limited renewable water
supplies, unsustainable agricultural practices, and high
demographic pressures on natural resources. Climate change
projections would exacerbate these issues. According to a MIT
study, the unique features that characterize the Persian Gulf, such
as its low elevations, shallow waters, and clear skies could result
in temperatures that exceed 35℃ over extended periods of time by
the end of the century. This would be intolerable for long-term
human survival. The episode highlights how the region is navigating
these issues. For example, Saudi Arabia is considering using
nuclear energy to power desalination plants to meet its growing
freshwater demands. CSR's Podcast Network will regularly feature
exclusive dialogues with leading security and international affairs
experts. Stay tuned for cutting-edge discussions on the world's
existential and strategic risks, and the ways in which these
challenges are converging.  Subscribe to the CSR Podcast
Network's YouTube channel to never miss an episode! Or listen to
the audio version on iTunes, and subscribe now to get real-time
updates. If you’re one of those already subscribed on iTunes, we
always welcome your ratings and reviews, as this helps us get the
podcast out there to more listeners!