Saudis murder journalist in Turkey

He did something they did not like.

The Turkish government seems to be leaking it as they want the Saudis to be very uncomfortable. The Saudis have funneled a lot of weapons into Syria including arming Kurdish groups which pushes the Turks off.

If by getting harassed you mean not having to pay parking tickets in NYC? They rack up insane amounts - they pretty much park wherever & whenever they want and nobody can do shit about it. Damn I'd like to have to deal with that kind of harassment.

You've never severed a finger "falling down the stairs"? Must be nice to live a charmed life.

He isn't/wasn't just a journalist. He was a vocal political dissident and was the nephew of Adnan Khashoggi, making part of one of the most powerful and wealthiest Saudi families in the world. He had huge influence and was something like the most followed political commentator in the Arab world. He also used to work for the Royal Family and government, had inside knowledge and connections, including with the Saudi intelligence community. There's no question that he had significant establishment power and influence and was therefore a threat to the regime and it's half hearted reforms, not least as a vocal critical of Wahhabism and as someone with access to the intelligence services. He had the power to lift the veil (no pun intended) on what was really going on in SA at a time when Mohammed Bin Salman has been trying to project a moderate and reformist SA to the world.

wow...then it was really only a matter of time for him. And not a fucking thing will happen to whoever did the killing, or ordered it.

I believe the reported hit squad are all said to be government employees.

Yes, I knew about his family and connections, but STILL! To flat out murder a prominent critic of the government--even if you get away clean with it--is to invite the speculation that you had him killed. And if you're caught---oh, man. [sarcasm] Are they not familiar with the concept of martyrdom in Saudi Arabia? [/sarcasm]

This didn't happen without someone's--I'm looking at you, MBS--approval, either tacit or explicit. If it tracks back to the royal family, this could turn into a very big deal.

If MBS is involved, he better be looking for a fall guy--preferably one who is killed while being "arrested" for this "rogue operation."

And what "big deal" is that? You think your people are going to stop doing business with SA? They'll get a few stern condemnations from the West and other Arab nations at best. A slapped wrist in other words.

Even if you're right--and I'm not sure you are--what will the repercussions in the Arab world be?

And they seemed to have entered a consulate with a minimum of fuss.

Fuck all I expect. There hasn't exactly been a major outcry to date. Most Arab nations have issued statements giving SA the benefit of the doubt, and their general support, while the investigations continue. If you mean, will it cause a major uprising a 'la the Arab Spring, I doubt it.

But do tell me why I'm not right on the lack of western reaction. MBS knows full well the economic interests of the West are too great for us to do anything major. Even your orange hero knows that. MBS knows he can get away with this.

It's premature yet. In matters of state, it's best to reserve judgment until sufficient facts have come in, lest a relationship get poisoned needlessly. Although we THINK we know what happened, there's still a lot we don't know. And it's possible that some things that have been reported are not true.

Which is sensible. Wait for the facts before you brand your powerful neighbor a murderer.

We'll see.

Not saying you're wrong, just saying I'm not sure you're right.

If there is audio of this, it will be pretty damning and will be hard for western politicians to let pass.

And, let me add: I'm usually pretty quick to defend SA because of our interests and this has given me pause.

Someone once told me: cemeteries are full of people who can't be replaced.

And economic interests are a two-way street. We need them, but they need us, too.

Most Arab dictatorships do the same thing so they aren't going to protest too loudly.

Trump did say that he wasn't going to lecture other governments on how to run their own business.

I thought we established that Trump was a worthless piece of shit a long time ago?

oh well then it's a guarantee not a fucking thing will happen to them.

Damn, that looks dirty. The Saudis seem to know money is the way to convince Trump to do what they want. Gee, I wonder why?

Why is this the thing that has given you pause, knowing everything else that they do?

Also, here is Khashoggi’s final column.

The other 14 of those scumsuckers better be saying their last prayers too.

What does this comment even mean?

One of the 15 goons has now "died mysteriously". The other 14 need to be in fear for their lives too.

Geez, really? Mysterious car crash? My idea--killed while "resisting arrest"--would've played better.

This is called: tying up loose ends. The assassins can't tell you who hired them if they're dead themselves.

Saudi Government: "Good news! We've found the leader of the rogue operation that killed Khashoggi...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/amph...e8-b2d2-f397227b43f0_story.html?noredirect=on

Conservatives decide to smear the murder victim in order to protect Trump. This must be the party of family values, right?

Absolutely, the first rule of assassination is kill the assasssin.