Democratic nations, led by the notably undemocratic regime of Islamist fanatic Recep Tayyip Erdogan, are up in arms over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Istanbul. Let by the newly self-empowered Lindsey Graham, the American Congress is poised to impose crippling economic sanctions on Saudi Arabia.
Fair to say, anyone who has responsibility for policy is cringing at the problem of dealing with a staunch ally, a vital piece of the alliance that is working to counteract Iranian influence in the region. Are we going to undermine the alliance in the interest of justice? It is not an easy question. It is far from being self-evident.
Anyway, for those who missed it, I draw your attention to the remarks made by Russian president Vladimir Putin. Evidently, a man who has apparently ordered the execution of critics on foreign soil is not in a position to denounce the Saudis. So, he did not.
At the same time, Putin knows what our Congresspeople do not seem to know: if America cancels arms contracts with Saudi Arabia, the kingdom will have no problem buying whatever it wants from Russia. Fair enough, President Trump seems clearly aware of this fact and the implications, not just for American jobs, but for American strategic interests. And yet, the rising tide of outrage seems ready to sweep it all aside.
Anyway, here is the Putin view, from the Daily Mail:
Russia believes the Saudi royals were not involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after President Vladimir Putin discussed it with Saudi King Salman, the Kremlin announced Friday.
Asked by a journalist whether the Kremlin fully believes that the Saudi royal family played no part in the murder in Istanbul, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the question was 'inappropriate.'
'There's an official statement from the king, there's an official statement from the Crown Prince (Muhammed bin Salman) and no one should have any grounds not to believe them,' Peskov said.
Putin spoke to the 82-year-old Saudi king, father of de facto ruler Muhammad bin Salman, by telephone on Thursday evening.
"Evidently, a man who has apparently ordered the execution of critics on foreign soil is not in a position to denounce the Saudis." Not to mention, the invasions of Crimea and Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteAlso, where's the body? Or the parts?
ReplyDeleteI see two problems, first did MBS (aka Mr. Bone Saw) plan the murder, and second if he did, what is the proportional response against a "staunch ally"?
ReplyDeleteI can see why brutal murder and dismemberment of a single critic can solve many problems for wannabe tyrants. I mean its hard work to keep thousands of journalists in line, but one example tells them all to think carefully what they should and shouldn't say. So it can actually be a humanitarian position, to help minimize both criticism and future need for violence.
No American will miss Khashoggi – he stood for everything America hates. The only people shedding tears are the Left and they dislike America as much as the Muslims.
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