Does the U.S.-Saudi Civil Nuclear Agreement Serve America's Interests

Amid ongoing Iran war negotiations, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in July that, if it goes through, could open the door for American companies to help build the kingdom's nuclear infrastructure. Would providing nuclear technology to a country that has left the door open to acquiring a bomb create the proliferation threat U.S. policy is precisely meant to prevent? Or is U.S. involvement the best way to keep Saudi Arabia's nuclear ambitions from becoming something more dangerous?

This Thursday, in Washington DC, Open to Debate in partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations debates the question: "Does the U.S.-Saudi Civil Nuclear Agreement Serve America's Interests?"

Arguing YES are Daniel Poneman, Deputy Secretary of Energy under President Obama, and Amos Hochstein, former White House Senior Advisor to President Biden.

Arguing NO are Sharon Squassoni, former Director of Nonproliferation and Prevention at CSIS and Joe Cirincione, former Director for Non-Proliferation at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

The debate will tape in front of an invite-only audience on Thursday, September 17 at 6pm ET (6pm drinks reception, 6:30 debate start) at the Council on Foreign Relations' headquarters, 1777 F Street NW, in Washington, DC. Media are invited to attend and can email [email protected] for access.

DEBATER BIOS - ARGUING YES

* Daniel Poneman: Former Deputy Secretary of Energy; Distinguished Fellow of the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center and Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Daniel Poneman is a Distinguished Fellow of the Global Energy Center and the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council. He served as President and CEO of Centrus Energy Corp. (2015-2023), deploying the first U.S.-technology uranium enrichment facility to begin production since 1954. Currently he co-chairs the Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition, where he hosts the podcast Atomically Speaking. As Deputy Secretary of Energy (2009-2015), Mr. Poneman led the 2009 negotiations to address Iran's nuclear program, managed the Department's response to crises ranging from Fukushima to the Libyan civil war to Superstorm Sandy, and strengthened emergency response and cybersecurity across the energy sector. He served at the National Security Council under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Clinton in roles including Special Assistant to the President for Nonproliferation and Export Controls. Between government tours, Mr. Poneman was a principal of The Scowcroft Group and a partner at Hogan & Hartson. Mr. Poneman was educated at Harvard and Oxford University. His most recent book is Double Jeopardy: Combating Nuclear Terror and Climate Change. He has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Government of Japan and is a member of the Aspen Strategy Group.

* Amos Hochstein: Former White House Senior Advisor to President Biden; Managing Partner at TWG Global
Amos Hochstein is a global energy expert, senior negotiator, and business executive. He serves as Managing Partner at TWG Global, leading investments and strategy across energy systems, AI, and critical infrastructure.

With more than two decades of experience across the White House, State Department, and Congress, he has shaped U.S. policy on national security, energy, and infrastructure. Most recently, he served as Senior Advisor to President Biden, leading U.S. and global energy policy and security, securing supply chains and global infrastructure initiatives.

He played a leading role in shaping U.S. strategy on artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, including chairing international efforts on AI investment and accelerating global data center development. He chaired the U.S.-Saudi Arabia and UAE task force on AI cooperation. He bridges policy, markets, and technology, with a focus on how energy systems, AI, and capital flows are converging to reshape global economic and geopolitical dynamics and define the next phase of the energy transition.

Hochstein was the lead negotiator on the Israel-Lebanon maritime boundary agreement and subsequent ceasefire efforts following the October 7 conflict. He also helped advance major international initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.

DEBATER BIOS - ARGUING NO

* Sharon Squassoni: Research Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University; Former Director of Nonproliferation and Prevention at CSIS
Sharon Squassoni joined the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University as a research professor in 2018 after leading the Proliferation Prevention Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS). Prior to that, she served in senior positions at the U.S. Arms Control & Disarmament Agency, the U.S. State Department, and the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress. She researches, writes, and teaches about foreign and national security risks posed by nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. Her current research focuses on North Korea, the risks of new nuclear energy, and the intersection of climate change and national security. She is co-founder of the Climate Security Initiative and sits on the boards of the Center for Arms Control & Nonproliferation, the Wisconsin Project on Arms Control, the PIR Center, and, previously, the Science & Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

* Joe Cirincione: Former Director for Non-Proliferation at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Joseph Cirincione is a national security analyst and author with 40 years of experience in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is the author or editor of seven books, including "Nuclear Nightmares: Securing the World Before It Is Too Late" and "Bomb Scare: The History and Future of Nuclear Weapons."

He served on the International Security Advisory Board for Secretaries of State John Kerry and Hillary Clinton. He has been an advisor for three presidential campaigns: Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren.

He served previously as president of Ploughshares Fund, a global security foundation, as vice president for national security at the Center for American Progress, director for nonproliferation at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and as a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, among other positions. He worked for over nine years on the professional staff of the Armed Services Committee and the Government Operations Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He taught at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service for twelve years, having graduated from the Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) master's program. He appears frequently on television, radio, and in the media and is the author of over one thousand articles and reports on defense and national security.

ABOUT OPEN TO DEBATE
Open to Debate addresses a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. We are the nation's only nonpartisan, debate-driven media organization dedicated to bringing multiple viewpoints together for a constructive, balanced, respectful exchange of ideas. Open to Debate is a platform for intellectually curious and open-minded people to engage with others holding opposing views on complex issues. We know debate works to find common ground: On average, 32% of the Open to Debate audience changes their mind on contentious topics after hearing a debate. That's the power of debate done right, and at scale, it can change the direction we're headed in America. Open to Debate is broadcast as a weekly public radio program, carried on NPR stations including WNYC (#1 in the nation). Open to Debate is made available as a podcast, video series, and digital platform, and records episodes with live audiences nationwide. Visit opentodebate.org to become a member, access an archive of more than 220 debates, and attend live events.

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ABOUT THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher dedicated to being a resource for its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, educators and students, civic and religious leaders, and other interested citizens in order to help them better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries. CFR takes no institutional positions on policy issues and has no affiliation with the U.S. government. All views expressed in its publications and on its website are the sole responsibility of the author or authors.

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For more information on Open to Debate, please contact Ray Padgett ([email protected]) at Shore Fire Media.