After initially expressing skepticism, President Donald Trump believes that journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead. He also threatened “severe” consequences if it turns out that Saudia Arabia is responsible. Trump said, “Well it’ll have to be severe, I mean it’s bad, bad stuff. We’ll see what happens. OK?”
Pompeo Returns from Saudi Arabia, and Trump Changes his Tune
Trump dispatched Mike Pompeo to Saudi Arabia this week to get answers about Kashoggi’s disappearance. Turkish sources reported that Pompeo listened to disturbing audio of Kashoggi’s murder, which the State Department denies. Claims have been made by the Turks that before he entered the embassy, Khashoggi’s Apple Watch began recording and uploading to the cloud, allegedly recording his interrogation, torture, and murder. A disclaimer must be made that the pro-government Turkish newspaper Sabah has been the most provocative in making such a claim. The paper largely acts as a mouthpiece for pro-Turkish (and thus anti-Saudi) interests.
Regardless of whether or not Pompeo heard that audio (or if it even exists), Trump’s tune has changed since Pompeo’s return. According to NPR, “Trump says he believes missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead, telling The New York Times that his judgment is based on intelligence reports “coming from every side.” The Saudis reportedly denied any role in Khashoggi’s death to Pompeo (which is exactly what you’d expect regardless).
Pompeo spoke to the press after meeting with the President indicating they are waiting on the results of a number of investigations.
.@StateDept @SecPompeo outside of the West Wing after our meeting this morning in the Oval Office… pic.twitter.com/4GrmMdOhS1
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2018
Mike Pence echoed Trump’s comments. “If what has been alleged occurred, if an innocent person lost their life at the hands of violence, that’s to be condemned. If a journalist in particular lost their life at the hands of violence, that’s an affront to the free and independent press around the world. And there will be consequences.”
Saudi’s Try to Bribe Their Way Out Trouble?
While the Saudis remain adamant in their denials, one recent action of theirs following Khashoggi’s deaths reeks of a bribe. Right as Pompeo landed in Saudi Arabia, their government “coincidentally” decided to pledge $100 million to the US. The amount had been previously pledged to compensate for US intervention in Syria, but the timing couldn’t help but look suspicious.
Stakes Remain High
Saudi Arabia remains an ally of the US in the Middle East in combating ISIS, al-Qaeda, and opposing Iranian influence. Saudi Arabia is also America’s biggest purchaser of weapons, with over $55 billion worth sold to them in the last fiscal year. And who could forget about the oil?
Ironically, Saudi Arabia as a state isn’t much different from the society the terror groups they fight desire. Homosexuals and adulterers are put to death, thieves have their hands chopped off, apostates are killed, and women are essentially wards of the largest open-air prison on the planet. If ISIS or al-Qaeda struck oil, or decided they wanted to be a trading partner of ours, would they suddenly become an ally of ours?
Once it’s confirmed that the Saudis are indeed behind Kashoggi’s death, it should come as a wake-up call that the only difference between the likes of ISIS and the Saudis, is that the Saudis wear suits and ties.
