The third International Nuclear Science Olympiad wrapped up over the weekend after being hosted for the first time in the Middle East. The event brought together 120 students and scientific experts from 19 countries who traveled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The program covered nuclear physics, radiation protection, “peaceful uses of radiation,” and practical training in nuclear measurements and experiments.
The list of participating countries should raise more than a few red flags. Of the 19 nations, no fewer than 12 are Muslim-majority—including two Israeli neighbors, Jordan and Syria. Participants also included Turkey and Pakistan, members of Saudi Arabia’s new security alliance.
عقولٌ سعودية متميّزة ..
لمستقبل واعد ..#أولمبياد_العلوم_النووية_الدولي #INSO2026 pic.twitter.com/xNusYlNqkC— وزارة التعليم (@moe_gov_sa) August 9, 2026
The International Nuclear Science Olympiad was approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2024. According to the agency, the competition aims to promote safe use and peaceful purposes of nuclear technologies, encourage young people to pursue studies in nuclear science, and support innovation in nuclear applications.
The full list of participants: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mongolia, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, and Turkey.