Saudi officials kill journalist, what's the response going to be?

[Alamo]

Aside from being a "journalist", Khashoggi appears to be a member and proponent of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is at odds with the Saudis, and is hardly a step up from Wahhabism (which MBS seems willing to reign in). This looks like intramural squabbling within the House of Saud, which is not unsual, just unusually public in this case. I don't see any reason to for the US to get its knickers in a twist, unless one wants to sabotage the cooperation of the US, KSA, and Israel in opposing Iran, and pump up the influence of islamist Turkey and its dictator.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Aside from being a "journalist", Khashoggi appears to be a member and proponent of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is at odds with the Saudis, and is hardly a step up from Wahhabism.

I'm not sure why you put "journalist" in quotes as though that's not the case. Given his multiple positions as a reporter and editor in both Arabic and Western news sources, he's certainly entitled to be called a journalist. He did join the Muslim Brotherhood in the 80's when it was friendly with Saud as both were supporting Afghanistan vs the Soviets. He had friends and acquaintances in the Muslim Brotherhood, but you only need to look at his writing and actions to see he was not supportive of violence or extremism. He maintained his relationships to attempt to change people's views. Note he still considered Osama Bin Laden a friend (who he'd met in Afghanistan during the Soviet incursion. He reportedly attempted to talk Bin Laden out of his violent views, and after Bin Laden's death stated: ..."you were beautiful and brave in those beautiful days in Afghanistan, before you surrendered to hatred and passion.”

Why we should care is because he's someone who was doing all the things we say we want done. Encouraging actual democracy in the Middle East. Using his position to reach the populations in a pro-Western/pro-democracy way. Supporting and spreading a non-violent school of Islam. Tamping down conspiracy theories about Jews or false flag operations behind 9/11 that were even more rampant in the Middle East then domestically.

Why we won't is because we don't really care about those things. At best, it's a notional objective way down on the list of things the administration cares about. At worst, it's just PR and propaganda for the real mission. As we've both stated checking Iran is more important to the various administrations who've had to answer these sorts of questions. Soviet/post-Soviet Russia influence and cheap energy matter more than decades of what the various administrations say they want.

 

[printcraft]

We absolutely need to get out of bed with the saudis.

They are weaponizing muslims all over the world with their export and funding of wahhabism.

 

[T.Lex]

We absolutely need to get out of bed with the saudis.

They are weaponizing muslims all over the world with their export and funding of wahhabism.

That's overly generalized IMHO, regarding "the Saudis." Despite what might be portrayed, there is a significant number (millions) that are totally fine with "western" values.

Now, in terms of political bedmaking, yes - the House of Saud has done few favors for us. Well, they have provided valuable services and products, but at great expense to our national fisc and credibility. And blood. They haven't done anything "as a favor."

I think John Quincy Adams may have had it right:

America... goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benign[] sympathy of her example.

 

[Ziggidy]

Trying to sort through the chaos over there is like trying to rationalize a bad LSD trip. It's been going on for many many years and it will not stop anytime soon, if ever. People hint that he may be somewhat of a good guy (journalist) for speaking out, but then again, he was friends with the M Brotherhood; which is never good. I feel for all "victims" of the islam cult, but if your gonna play both sides, you're gonna get hurt.

IMO, there are more important issues here on our own soil. Officially becoming a socialist nation through a bloodless coup is my concern.

Vote republican in November.....

 

[printcraft]

That's overly generalized IMHO, regarding "the Saudis." Despite what might be portrayed, there is a significant number (millions) that are totally fine with "western" values.

Now, in terms of political bedmaking, yes - the House of Saud has done few favors for us. Well, they have provided valuable services and products, but at great expense to our national fisc and credibility. And blood. They haven't done anything "as a favor."

I think John Quincy Adams may have had it right:

Well, those are probably not the ones in charge.

 

[halfmileharry]

Every country works towards their own best interests. How they achieve desired results isn't our business unless it's related to our citizenry or U.S. interests directly.
I'm wondering WHY is this one state sanctioned murder making the fuss it is? It's not like it's anything new out of that regime or even the whole region as far as that goes.
Didn't the U.S. have some PR issues over some of our behavior?

 

[Expat]

Maybe it is time for the 9/11 report that covered Saudi involvement to be released to the public. As I understand it, it is locked up and only the "special people" get to go in and view it.

 

[HoughMade]

Maybe it is time for the 9/11 report that covered Saudi involvement to be released to the public. As I understand it, it is locked up and only the "special people" get to go in and view it.

What difference could that possibly make?

We get 9% of our oil from Saudi Arabia, but even if we didn't, they have the power to raise prices significantly (though not the same level of power they had, say, 20 years ago). I think most Americans are not fans of the political class in Saudi Arabia now. I fail to see how having the 9/11 connection confirmed would make any difference.

 

[BugI02]

10 Questions To Answer About Khashoggi Before Buying The Narrative

 

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

I'll say it's none of our business. He got his green card under questionable circumstances via Obama Admin, IIRC, he was a UBL guy and praised (and later mourned) him, he is/was tied to the Muslim Brotherhood and we don'r even know what the hell happened to him to begin with. Why are we even involved?

ETA: Just read the link Bug added. Interesting read. Thanks!

 

[Sylvain]

Every country works towards their own best interests. How they achieve desired results isn't our business unless it's related to our citizenry or U.S. interests directly.
I'm wondering WHY is this one state sanctioned murder making the fuss it is? It's not like it's anything new out of that regime or even the whole region as far as that goes.
Didn't the U.S. have some PR issues over some of our behavior?

Jamal Khashoggi was a US permanent resident.He moved to the US to find the freedom or expression (and freedom of the press) he couldn't find in Saudi Arabia.

He wasn't a US citizen, and wasn't killed on US soil ... but the fact that a foreign country has no problem killing someone who was given special freedom and protection (by allowing him to legally live and work in the US) by the US government is troubling.

He was even a Hoosier for a few years as he studied in Indiana.

[FONT=&amp]A Saudi journalist who disappeared after walking into the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul last week has Indiana ties.
[/FONT][FONT=&amp]Jamal Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post, attended Indiana State University from 1977 - 1982, getting a degree in business administration May 7, 1983.[/FONT]

https://www.wthr.com/article/missing-saudi-journalist-graduated-indiana-state

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Not to derail, but I get SO tired of hearing the phrase "according to anonymous sources". Screw that. If you have something to say, say it, under your own name. Why the hell should anyone believe anyone that is so unwilling to really make a claim. Say it, or don't. I can "anonymously claim" anything I want. Unless I put my name to it, who is going to fact-check my claim, and how could they? The ANTIFA *******s hide behind their masks. I see anything labeled "anonymous sources" and I automatically discredit it. As should the rest of the world.

ETA: And before anyone else says it, I know people want to protect themselves. Well, if your personal protection is more important than what you're claiming, then maybe it's not important enough for you to say it.

 

[Leadeye]

Every day that goes bye I feel great to be living in the USA.

He should have just stayed here.

 

[halfmileharry]

Jamal Khashoggi was a US permanent resident.He moved to the US to find the freedom or expression (and freedom of the press) he couldn't find in Saudi Arabia.

He wasn't a US citizen, and wasn't killed on US soil ... but the fact that a foreign country has no problem killing someone who was given special freedom and protection (by allowing him to legally live and work in the US) by the US government is troubling.

He was even a Hoosier for a few years as he studied in Indiana.



https://www.wthr.com/article/missing-saudi-journalist-graduated-indiana-state

Understand this BUT.... What I said before still goes.
There's a lot of stuff in this life that doesn't seem fair or seems cruel or even evil. It's commonplace.
It goes on everyday in this world.
Which piece are we supposed to fix today? Then how do we fix what goes on in the world tomorrow?
I'll even go as far as to say it's NOT our place to butt into others affairs.
To us it appears we've got a great system. Others apparently don't think so.
I don't think it's our predetermined destiny to inflict our system and beliefs onto others.

 

[Sigblitz]

Their stock market lost the gains it accumulated over the past 2 years, and China's market suffered as a result. So they are feeling it in the pocket if only a little bit.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Not to derail, but I get SO tired of hearing the phrase "according to anonymous sources". Screw that. If you have something to say, say it, under your own name. Why the hell should anyone believe anyone that is so unwilling to really make a claim. Say it, or don't. I can "anonymously claim" anything I want. Unless I put my name to it, who is going to fact-check my claim, and how could they? The ANTIFA *******s hide behind their masks. I see anything labeled "anonymous sources" and I automatically discredit it. As should the rest of the world.

ETA: And before anyone else says it, I know people want to protect themselves. Well, if your personal protection is more important than what you're claiming, then maybe it's not important enough for you to say it.

For the same reason confidential informants are confidential. Out them and they are no longer able to provide info. Generally the reporter is vetting the source but not officially putting a name to it.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Every country works towards their own best interests. How they achieve desired results isn't our business unless it's related to our citizenry or U.S. interests directly.
I'm wondering WHY is this one state sanctioned murder making the fuss it is? It's not like it's anything new out of that regime or even the whole region as far as that goes.
Didn't the U.S. have some PR issues over some of our behavior?

The US isn't killing people who simply oppose us or our ideas. There is a huge difference between killing a terrorist or enemy combatant vs killing someone who talks against us. Additionally I'd refer you to my posts above about why we should care.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Their stock market lost the gains it accumulated over the past 2 years, and China's market suffered as a result. So they are feeling it in the pocket if only a little bit.

They've also transferred $100m to the US. Completely unrelated, of course...

 

[halfmileharry]

The US isn't killing people who simply oppose us or our ideas. There is a huge difference between killing a terrorist or enemy combatant vs killing someone who talks against us. Additionally I'd refer you to my posts above about why we should care.

I do understand and I do sympathize with the reasons you list. We only know what we're told and I guess we should take it as the truth.
I do believe the Crusades ended a long time ago but not much has changed in that vast amount of time. 1099 I read?