On Wednesday, Turkish officials said they have concluded that the order to assassinate Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Saudi government. President Trump has confirmed that he has talked to officials at the highest levels of the Saudi government as well about the matter.
Trump says he want the US to get to the bottom of the incident. He told reporters that the US is “demanding everything” and considers the matter a very serious situation, adding the US is working closely with Turkey.
Trump is clearly doubling down on his push for answers on the matter. He’s not the only one, with Congressional leaders that usually side with Saudi Arabia on all things even starting to ask questions.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) spoke to reporters Wednesday, reporting that it would be a “game changer” if the Saudis had in any way mistreated Khashoggi. Since early indications are that the Saudis had him killed and chopped into bits, that’s going to be tough for Graham to back away from if this turns out to be the case.
Sen. Graham and Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) both warned there’d be “hell to pay” if the Saudis were behind the journalist’s disappearance. It seems that’s an even safer bet, and while Graham didn’t want to elaborate on what that meant, he did say he thinks the Saudis “know what it means.”
The Saudi’s will receive the severest slap on the wrist.
It is so transparent. Saudis have been increasingly obstinent. Commercial and energy deals with Russia, abrupt cutoff of funds and Wahabi preachers — the infrastructure of terror cults that mushroomed around the region. Then Saudis are being less then cooperative in Yemen crisis, maintaining carnage, but no results. In fact, without UAE the whole South of Yemen would have been under the control of secessionists. Then there is oil. No effort to increase production — forcing US to show to the world how it can supply the energy — all the energy world needs, and keep prices down. Instead, Saudi Arabia is responsible for increasing production. And upon refusal, publicly embarrased by being told that the ruling family would not last without US protection.
Unfortunately for poor Kashogi, he was at the wrong place st the wrong time. His disappearance (not yet proven that he is dead), is a deliberate provocation — it is poking the eye of the superpower. To determine who needs whom more. I was perplexed by the act — and the advantage of this being in Turkey. Turkey will certainly put on a high volume crisis — something US cannot control. Without this noise, proof that Kashogi did not leave the building, etc. i think US did not mind chastising and humiliating Saudi royals — for as long as they are quiet and contrite. But a scandal of such proportion — makes it impossible for US to ignore Saudi Arabia. This is no longer a case of a cowered protectee, but a defiant regional power not showing respect for a journalist-dissident working with Washington Post. The crisis in relationship is coming, but it appears that it us Saudi Arabia that wants a crisis.
Sell oil in dollars and we will protect you forever
Starving millions was ok but we draw the line when a journalist is butchered.
Continuation of no US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (and Turkey).
Of course, an American resident is FAR more important than thousands, even millions, of Yemenis.