AP Photo

By Yochi J. Dreazen

BRAKA, United Arab Emirates"”The United Arab Emirates, one of the wealthiest nations in the world, is a land of firsts. Dubai, its richest city, has the first indoor ski slope and the first "seven star"� luxury hotel. Abu Dhabi, its capital, has the first roller coaster capable of traveling from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds; now it's building the first branch of the Louvre Museum outside of France.

Here at Braka, a windswept patch of desert 167 miles west of Abu Dhabi, a very different kind of first is taking shape. With American support, the Emirati government is building the Arab world's first"”and, for the moment, only"”nuclear-power plant. On a recent afternoon, workers in hard...