Nuclear proliferation in the Middle East remains an issue of concern. Saudi Arabia's actions will largely rest on Iran's decisions, and discussions and preparations within Saudi Arabia would suggest that it is ready to react to potential shifts in the region's nuclear powers. Saudi Arabia and Nuclear Weapons uses an ""inside out"" approach that emphasises the Saudis' own national interests in relation to the nuclear threat, and their understanding of the role of nuclear weapons in defense, foreign policy and the concept of deterrence.

1. Introduction -- 2. The dynamics of Saudi strategic culture and the decisionmaking process -- 3. Developing nuclear threat assessment -- 4. Analyzing the threat in Riyadh : why would a nuclear Iran be so dangerous ? -- 5. Thinking in terms of solutions : how to stop Iran -- 6. Thinking in terms of solutions : the evolution in Saudi thinking toward a nuclear option -- 7. Thinking about the utility of nuclear weapons : deterrence and beyond -- 8. Where does the civilian nuclear power sector fit in ? -- 9. A nuclear environment and foreign policy : reshaping relations within the Gulf -- 10. The Rouhani era in Tehran and a new age of anxiety in Riyadh -- 11. Coming to terms with the 14 July 2015 nuclear agreement : Saudi anxiety overcome ? -- 12. Conclusions and implications.