by Eyck Freymann
Yesterday, the Jerusalem Post published a very disturbing story:
UN nuclear inspectors have found traces of weapons-grade uranium in Egypt, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.
Egypt has two reactors being used for civilian energy and experimentation purposes. Although civilian nuclear reactors do not involve materials refined enough to be used in a weapon, there does exist some risk that the reactors' fuel and waste can be used dangerously. In Egypt in particular, these materials are not well guarded. I find this story disturbing for two reasons. First is the obvious: that one Middle Eastern Arab country acquiring a nuclear weapon will trigger an arms race.
Second, I am concerned that no other news outlet reported this. It appears that fissile material is loose in an area of the world that is, well, not known for its stability. Egypt, a strategic ally of the United States, has been fighting against homegrown Muslim extremists since the sixties.
Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt's second President, promoted secular government during his 1956-1970 Presidency. After his death, his successor, Anwar Sadat, faced repercussions. Ayman al-Zawahiri, number two at al Qaeda, made a name for himself as a young man for his role in assassinating him. Sadat, the man who joined in the 1978 Camp David Accords, forged a revolutionary peace accord with Israel.
Since Sadat's assassination, Egypt has lived under the rule of Hosni Mubarak. Mubarak has allied himself with the US and Israel, fighting local religious extremists to stay in power. But his control over his people may be weakening, and it would be disastrous if Egypt descended into chaos.
I think this story speaks for itself.
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