Why does Saudi Arabia want a civil nuclear deal with the US?

Saudi Arabia and the United States are discussing a deal to cooperate on the kingdom’s ambitions to develop a civil nuclear industry, talks that have long been complicated by regional politics and concerns over weapons proliferation.

Here are some of the main issues at play:

WHY DOES SAUDI ARABIA WANT A NUCLEAR PROGRAMME?

As the world’s largest oil exporter Saudi Arabia may not seem an obvious candidate for nuclear power,