Well, again drilling into a specific off-the-cuff example, but even if Saudi of all countries can't muscle in there, install a shitload yourself on the peninsul

Well, again drilling into a specific off-the-cuff example, but even if Saudi of all countries can't muscle in there, install a shitload yourself on the peninsula and become a net fresh water exporter with massive desalination plants. Probably you don't even need nuclear at this point and go straight for solar. In 10 years, or 20, or 30, there's going to insane water demand on all sides: the entire middle East and most of Africa is going to be at each others throats for water and will pay whatever you ask. Pretty much how it works now for oil, actually. With that in mind, maybe it's indeed the best possible outcome that that KSA splash the cash harmlessly and uselessly rather then build a new chokehold on something.