President Trump’s position on the disappearance and presumptive killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been forced to change yet again, after days of trying to downplay the incident and defend the Saudis. Trump now says “it certainly looks” like Khashoggi is dead.
The journalist went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 and never came out. Turkey has audio and video recordings of his murder by a team of Saudi officials. His body has yet to be recovered, and Turkey speculated it was destroyed in acid.
President Trump has tried to back away from the idea of doing anything too serious to the Saudis, and most recently revised his position to say the US would only do something if it was found that a top royal family member was directly involved. That said, he’s also warned there would be “severe consequences.”
That’s a problem for him too now, because the US intelligence community is increasingly convinced that the Saudi crown prince is culpable in the killing. That top aides to the prince, and members of his personal security were on the kill team only underscores that belief.
President Trump is now insisting that it is “too early” to try to assign blame, and is looking to give the Saudis more time to come up with some sort of excuse. The US has repeatedly extended the Saudis additional days for an official report. Trump says his goal is the “best intelligence we could have,” and that the US is working with several countries on intelligence about Khashoggi.
Hypocrisy in obvious abundance in the trumpster white house. Remember when he thought assad bombed his own people with chemicals? He wanted to go kill him and instead bombed a syrian base. Why? Because they are not our friends and dont buy our crap while the sauds do..
Not true!! Western Nations pulled out of the Saudis Conference because, of what happened to Kashoggi. It’s the Russians that are flocking to Saudi Arabia because they’re broke and need money and are trying to gain influence not us. FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS.
Russians flocking to Saudi Arabia?? WTH are u talking about??
Everything he said was true. We certainly didn’t give Assad time to “investigate” the chemical attacks like we’re doing regarding the Saudi’s butchering of a journalist. And let me know when we cancel the $110 billion arms sales to the Saudis instead of bringing up some symbolic cancellation of a meaningless conference.
Yes, they are:
How US covered up Saudi role in 9/11
Leaked Hillary Clinton emails show U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and Qatar supported ISIS
Is this much different than when H put a brutal hit on Q? Or even that Novibuk stuff in UK assuming the Rs dun it. Not to mention the day in day out of O.
And T has continued the day in day out of O.
So we’ve cancelled our trip to Saudi Arabia’s conference where businesses all over world where to attend .Western countries including the United States pulled out in order to put pressure on the Saudis but,guess who decided to fill the void? I know it’s gonna be hard for the Antiwar cult to digest but,there hero Putin is sending a delegation and Russian buisness men are flocking to fill the void. You see antiwar people the Russians don’t care about human rights it’s all about strategic interests in the region. Say what you want about America antiwar HYPOCRITES but,we aren’t the ones showing up to support the Saudis it’s the Russians on orders from ya’lls daddy Putin that’s doing this to try to take advantage of the rift this horrific murder has created. Why is Russia helping support these Saudis while the western free world pulls out? I know why,he likes the Kings style. Ordering the killing of someone that was once an ally in another country is something he and the Saudi King have in common. Now respond to my comment with excuses and alternative facts but,doesn’t change what’s happening .Your hero Putin is also a conman that’s, trying to counter western pressure on a Saudi King that, ordered a dissenting journalist to be silenced in a gruesome manner by,allowing Russian buisness delegations to fill the void of the western businesses that couldn’t stomach what the Saudi King did,in order to gain influence and favor with the Saudis. No big headlines on that subject huh ANTIWAR? But hey this sites not biased…WINK,WINK…
I’m not sure who at Antiwar.com you think disagrees with you on Putin as such. Preferring peace to war, and recognizing that US foreign policy has been a primary driver of conflict since World War II and THE primary driver of conflict since 1991 (that’s what “superpower” and “lone superpower” mean), is not the same as approving of Putin. Or Xi. Or Kim. Or Assad. Or Macron. Or May. Or [insert foreign politician here].
Can we get a headline on who decided to go to the Saudis Conference on Antiwar? Until than I stand by my comment. Highlight the countries that did the right thing and pulled out and high light the people who decided to attend in the name of transparency Antiwar. I mean we’re focused on this topic so,let’s cover it thoroughly. The people on this site deserve to know who’s supporting the Saudis, at a time when the world is condemning there actions.
You use the term “we” very loosely. Antiwar isn’t your personal journal from which you get to demand what they put here and don’t put here.
So some 30 western entities have dropped out. You think this means they wont continue to do business with the Saudis?? LOL!!
I know it will also be hard for you to fathom why Israel, Saudi Arabia’s newfound best bud, has said not one thing condemning the Saudis for this.
Because for some business guys to not attend a conference is such huge unbearable pressure. It’s not like anyone is severing business ties with SA, business will go on. Just as every country loves to do business with the US while the US is busy trying to destroy 1/3 of the world. Where’s the pressure there from the fine world business community. And guess what, at next year’s conference all US business leaders will be back and no one will remember Khashoggi.
And no, you don’t know that Putin likes the Saudi King’s “style.”
What can our government do? Put pressure on the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
1. Produce the body or whatever is left of it now. (teeth?)
2. If you cannot produce any part of his body for DNA confirmation (if that is possible) what happened to that body? How did it vanish?
3. Where is Mr. Khashoggi’s passport?
4. Where is Mr. Khashoggi’s “green card”
5. Show us the document that Mr. Khashoggi wanted to pick up plus a sworn affidavit from the Saudi Consul General of Istanbul that this document was at his consulate ready for pick-up by Mr, Khashoggi on 2 February 2018.
6. We demand answers now, not “a few undefined days hence”.
Of course the top echelon was involved. No one would dare to do it, if they weren’t involved.
Of course it is. Planned un advance. With a clear goal to create a rift with US. Saudis were leaned on many fronts, and on the top if it all — ridicuked and belityled publicly by US president. Many fronts, including funding for “rebels” in Syria that ceased. Turkey picked up most of thrm, including big Jaish Al Islam. Without Saudi acquiesence the keadership of the gtoup would not agree. Now Turkey changed leaders, gave them uniforms, all done. Then no more money for Al-Qaeda in Idlib, and mire critically — no more money to ISIS belt along eastern Euphrates. They sre now kidnapping people from supposedly US protecred area, and will kill them if not given food, medical supplies, etc. US even prevented Kurd outfit from attacking them by “acvudentally” bombing Kurds. Will US now be forced to fund ISIS and Al-Qaeda to kerp up the Syrian cinflict alive.
ISIS has captured Americans as well as some other Europeans — but this is not news. Saudis just like Turkey and India are not backing out of purchasing S-400. Saudis can back out, but for many concessions, including US ridiculous hiding behind Saudis jn Yemen war. The war is all for US domination of Bab Al Mandeb, and the mere thought that Shia population lives along Yemeni shores brings some into conniptions. But the war will need to end with a compromise on the control of straights. Saudis do not want to be isolated in the region, as as of now, there is no country in the Middle East committed to anti Iranian drive. What is a real problem to Saudis is its biggest customer. China. Giving control of the straights to US may mean control of its exports, and Europe-Asia trade. And irrational fuss eith Qatar — stsrted by the way by Nayaf, not current ruler, is Saudis shooting themselves into foot. Qatar could be export route should Bab Al Manded strsights become blocked. But that eould mean giving up on Iran story.
In May 1999, we bombed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade and killed three Chinese journalists. Did “the world” take a stand and make us pay for that?
I never said Antiwar was my own personal journal Slimer and you know I can’t directly repond to your weak ass comments and, even though I’m being restricted from replying I can still wipe the floor with your ass “Figuratively Speaking ” on this site anyday.Now flag my comments too your Daddy Mr.Knapp and pretend I’m a robot you fu*#in Hypocrite.
Proven a liar again, dunce.
Words matter – that was your implication by asking the website to do this or do that according to your idiotic whims.
I see you Schmizer un-employed in your parents basement, roll of towels and a bottle of lotion, blown up portrait of Putin shirtless on the wall, old 80’s song I touch myself blaring in the background. Good times huh COMRADE!!! Yes, Daddy Putin, yes….Hahaha
You are a real tool – too funny…….and really sad.
Get a GED diploma and learn the correct usage and spelling of words! That way you would not come across as the dunce you are.
Hey warRus is that S-400 missile defense system still being sold to the Saudis by Russia? Sorry I’m replying this way it’s the only way I can reply.
How is that relevant to what I said? Did we cancel our $110 billion in arms sales to the Saudis? Or are we not giving the Saudis more time to investigate their own involvement of murdering a journalist as compared to the time we allowed Assad to investigate his complicity in the chemical attacks? Or did we even give Assad that same opportunity or did we just bomb him sans any investigation?
The entire establishment must be praying to their green god that this Khashoggi story goes away. It will be interesting to see to what extent Trump is able to learn and change his stance from establishment bs to the truth, even if it hurts.
Itvwill be interesting. Saudi Arabia is irreplaceable when it comes to Iran narrative. Story if Shia Sunni sectarianism. As it foes not play anywhere else -/ it died in Syria, Lebanon , Iraq — and only ISIS protected in US zone can still act savage to keep up the story that played itself out.
What now? Israel alone against Iran?
How can this journalust fate be of importance when Israel does this all the time to their enemies? All Saudis want is an equal treatment. Of course, such brazen provocation cannot stand — so what gives? Saudis will be asked to do a lot in ordee to get back into good graces. Are they prepared to cave in? Or are they going to take advantage of crisis to create some space for independent action? Or is US pull within Saudi Arabia strong enough to unravel the ruling team?
Somehow I doubt that such an act of willing defiance would ever take place. Given the hesitation in Trump administration — one can tell that Saudis are not contrite and begging in bent knees. It is too late to worry about our image and self image. The only question is — how important it is to prevent Saudi Arabia from joining the region in blunting Israel’s Midfle East ambitions, and saving its money on mire important things. Si, I am all for punishing Saudi Arabia, breakung relations with this country, and letting go if our Iranian Moby Dick obsession.
My opinion, if the US gets in a shooting war with Iran, SA will be with the US, come what may.
You lure a man to travel to your consulate in Istanbul. You want him interrogated and if necessary forcefully taken to Riyadh. Why?
I see only one logical explanation. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia either feared, suspected or knew that a plot was being hatched to overthrow him. Such a plot would have to be organized inside the Royal family that is to say by one or several other princes. Khashoggi was friendly with some of them. Under pressure he might have divulged significant information for the Crown Prince.