The Washington Outsider

The Khashoggi Assassination Fallout: The Implications To Saudi Arabia And The Middle East

11/19/2018

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​Saudi Arabia was caught torturing, murdering, and dismembering Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi on October 2, 2018.  Failing to deflect blame and appease their Turkish accusers, after almost two weeks, the Saudis finally admitted that agents of the Kingdom were responsible for Khashoggi’s murder.  Saudi leadership has, however, attempted to skirt responsibility by seeking the death penalty for five suspects connected to the Khashoggi case.  The House of Saud under the leadership of King Salman is responding to building international backlash with a poorly orchestrated PR campaign solely designed to shield the Kingdom’s most powerful family members from culpability.  World leaders like US President Donald Trump, who appears more than willing to sacrifice US moral standing to placate Saudi’s Turkish accusers, may buy into the Saudi narrative, but the world’s population already knows the truth.  No matter how many loyal servants of the Kingdom are executed for the slaughter of Khashoggi, it will not change the fact that the world knows the Saudi monarch had someone assassinated in a terrifyingly brutal way.  
Enlisting a fall guy and sacrificing a scapegoat is key to absolving an errant organization of wrongdoing.  Unfortunately for the Saudi government, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had grown so emboldened by the unchecked power his father bestowed upon him that he acted rashly and brazenly.  With even the CIA, which has utilized the help of the Saudis in their more unscrupulous operations, concluding bin Salman must have personally ordered the assassination of Khashoggi, King Salman finds himself burdened with a terrible decision.  He can try to wait out the controversy and hope the world forgets.  In all likelihood, the Khashoggi story will fade, but the damage has been done.  Although Khashoggi was a critic of bin Salman and a former Kingdom insider with potentially damning inside knowledge, it is unlikely Khashoggi was a critically dangerous individual to the Kingdom or bin Salman personally.  What his assassination, therefore, demonstrates is that Saudi Arabia routinely engages in this kind of behavior to suppress dissent.
​
Thanks to its bloody war against the Houthi rebels in Yemen and its brutal crackdown on protesters during its own Arab Spring Revolution, the world has already witnessed the savagery of the Kingdom.  What the Khashoggi assassination does is take Saudi Arabia out of the same category as the United States, Turkey, and Israel, i.e. “civilized” nations that engage in justifiable wars, to place it into the same category as Iran and Syria.  Just as Iran and Iraq under the leadership of Saddam Hussein saw their relationships with the West sour in the wake of similar revelations, the Kingdom faces similar prospects.  While the Saudis are not likely to become the enemy of the West, Saudi Arabia’s Western ties could grow cold.  This could have implications for the entire region.  European foreign policy strong reflect human rights concerns.  The US has a vested interest in securing Middle Eastern oil to secure global the global supply of oil, but it has its own supply.  Turkey is a NATO ally, but the relationship is troubled while the Trump Administration does not see Middle Eastern terrorism as a pressing US concern.  Trump has pledged so much support for Israel that it has emboldened Israeli hardliners to publicly share their extremist positions, but he is fickle and his failing peace initiative is a political liability.  In short, the Khashoggi assassination could escalate US and broader international disengagement from the Middle East.
 
Furthermore, the reason Iran and Iraq under Saddam Hussein lost US support has nothing to do with shifting national and international interests.  Tensions are a consequence of democracy in the US and US politics.  The American People could not accept leaders who publicly embraced bloodthirsty warlords with open arms, thus situations in Iran and Iraq demanded regime change.  Because regime change did not happen, Iran and Iraq under Saddam Hussein had to become enemies of the United States.  Although the Saudis likely understand the influence of US democracy, it is also important to recognize the sentiments behind the Arab Spring Revelations never died.  Tyrannical crackdowns and terrorism may have broken the momentum behind the Arab Spring Revelations, but the Middle East is still democratizing as it is globalizing while it is still undergoing a major social, political transformation.  The Peoples of the Middle East are becoming one and they are seeking responsive governance that reflects their interests.  They already hate their own and each others’ governments, which are cooperating against their Peoples to stay in power.  Incidents like the Khashoggi assassination motivate the Peoples of the Middle East to unite.
 
The kingdoms of the Middle East are imperiling their futures.  For allies like the US, support of the heavily-handed governments of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel means the US could become an enemy of the Middle Eastern Peoples, which makes the US a target of terrorism, i.e. the liabilities of supporting Middle Eastern allies are growing more and more costly.  For King Salman of Saudi Arabia, there is a compelling interests for his Kingdom to demonstrate Saudi Arabia is not the Kingdom of assassins.  To do this, he will likely have to sacrifice his most beloved son and, perhaps, his throne.  It will certainly be a victory for the growing list of enemies the bloodline of Salman has accrued over the King’s short rule, yet it may be the only way to vindicate the monarch and secure Saudi Arabia.  Salman must become the fall guy for the whole House of Saud.  Alternatively, King Salman can try to weather the storm.  He can probably survive for a fair amount of time.  His successor may even be able to repair the damage his son has done.  It will, however, be very difficult for his successor to bring Saudi Arabia back into the good graces of the International Community and recapture the blind support of the world population, especially if the King holds onto power for a protracted period of time.  Going forward, the Kingdom will face intensifying scrutiny that it may not be able to withstand.  
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      • Justice for All: The Case for Legal, Social, Economic, and Personal Justice
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      • What Modern Day Revolutionaries Need to Learn from Leader's like Mandela
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      • Why the Middle Class and Rich Need to Support Their Long-term Interests
      • The Aristocratic Republic of the United States of America
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      • The Reason We Need to Understand What it is to Be Poor in America
      • Why the World Needs to Reinvest in America
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        • Is Suicide a Cowardly Way Out?
      • Defense Against the Dark Arts of Manipulators
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        • Recognizing Abuse
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      • Relating Circular, Inductive, and Deductive Reasoning to the Scientific Method and Religion
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      • The Need for Greater Economic Leverage >
        • Evaluating NAFTA and TPP
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        • Eminent Domain Used Against Banks
        • Haitians Sue the UN for Failure to Help With Cholera
        • Looking at How Corn-based Ethanol and Other Alternative Energy Subsidies Stack Up
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        • Irish Sovereignty Lost Before Bailout
        • Why Sudan's Greatest Long-Term Hurdle is Our Lowest-bidder Economy
        • Reduce US Imports by Buying American Made Products
      • Ending the need for government support and tackling poverty
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        • On Questioning the Need to Address Economic Disparity
        • Minimum Wage is Not the Problem
        • Responding to the "Blip"
        • Why Education Is Not The Civil Rights Issue Of The Twenty-First Century
      • Considering the Impact of the Capital Gains Tax Deduction
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        • Capitalism Versus Socialism
        • The Negatives of Socialism
      • Stealing Intellectual Property
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      • Is Technology Threatening Jobs?
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      • Primary Education in America and the Changing Needs of Society
      • The Greatness of the American Education System
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      • Are Teachers Treated as Professionals?
      • Is Engaging Parents in Their Children's Education a Major Factor in Turning Around Low-performing Schools?
      • Should Grants Be Awarded to School Districts that Try Innovative Methods to Improve Student Achievement?
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      • On Reading the US Constitution
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      • On the DOJ Justifying the “targeted Killings” of US Citizens
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        • Corporate America Pleads the First
      • Discussing the Constitutionality of Per Capita Taxes
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      • Should the Bible Continue to Be Used for Swearing-in Ceremonies and in Courtrooms?
      • Should Religious Student Clubs Be Allowed in Public Schools?
      • Should the Government Control Talk Radio to Make it More "balanced"?
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        • Are We Losing Our Second Amendment Rights
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      • Should a Woman Have the Right to Choose Abortion? >
        • Should Fathers Be Able to Opt Out of Parenthood?
      • Should Smoking Be Allowed in Public Places?
      • Is Teen Driving a Right or a Privilege?
      • Should US Companies Be Required to Provide Equal Pay to Women and Men?
      • Is eighteen too young to vote?
      • First Amendment Rights: The Priviledge of The Press
      • Do Mandatory Seat Belt Laws Violate Individual Rights?
      • Should cell phone use be banned while driving?
      • Dealing with the link between video game violence and children's behavior
      • Should police have to submit to routine drug and alcohol testing?
      • Public schools should not impose mandatory drug testing on students
      • Are High Taxes on Cigarettes Proper?
      • Should pharmacists be required to violate their religious beliefs and dispense the "Morning After Pill?"
      • Should school counselors uphold patient privacy or report students who become unstable?
  • For the record
    • Ongoing Issues >
      • Red Dawn in Ukraine: Understanding the Actions of Russia >
        • On Russia’s Coercion of Ukraine
        • The Russian Annexation of Crimea in the Eyes of the World
        • Putin Has Overplayed His Hand With Crimea
        • Ukraine in Terms of Resovereignization
        • Avoiding a Conflict Between America and Russia Over Ukraine
        • What Drives the World’s Interest in Russia’s Actions in Ukraine
      • China’s Aggressive Pursuit of Interests Demands a Global Response
      • Iran Makes a Deal: A Start to a Long-term Diplomatic Effort to Denuclearize Iran >
        • On the Future of a Nuclear Negotiations with Iran
      • America's Sphere of Influence: Retaking South-East Asia >
        • Power in Asia: Looking at the Power Shift in Japan
        • The China Paradox: Why America is Worried About China
      • Assessing US Support of Israel >
        • Tread Softly Israel for a Heavy Step May Be Your Undoing
      • Understanding the Dysfunctional Nature of the US-Pakistani Relationship
      • Recognizing the True Threat Behind the Current Unrest in the Middle East >
        • Reacting to the Escalating Crackdown in Syria
      • Assessing the Threat of North Korea >
        • Answering North Korea's Call for Food Aid: Breaking the Vicious Cycle Forced Upon Us by a Warring Nation
        • Dealing with the Restarting of the Korean War
        • North Korea Attacks South Korea
      • Dealing with the Ill-effects of Climate Change
      • Racial Inequality and Oppression Do Truly Exist in Today's Society
      • Should energy independence be a high priority in the US?
      • An overview of world wide Human Rights violations
      • Nuclear Threat from Pakistan
      • Return of The Cold War?
    • World >
      • Coverage of FIFA World Cup is a Chance to Focus on Poverty >
        • The FIFA World Cup Offers Benefits for More Than Brazilian Soccer Fans
        • FIFA Can Bring Brazilians Together as a Nation
      • Being Prepared for Any Potential Dangers at the FIFA World Cup Games
      • Treading Softly on the Politicizing of the 2014 Sochi Olympics Over Gay Rights
      • Why NATO Operations in Libya Lack a Well-defined Mission
      • China Hijacks the Web
      • Lessons from the Great Japanese Earthquake of 2011
      • A Modernizing Cuba Offers an Opportunity for Capitalists
      • The Seeds of Democracy Take Root in the Middle East
      • The Rebirth of Democracy in Tunisia
      • What May Come from the Hurt Revolution in Libya
      • Responding to the Violence of Qaddafi and Other Besieged Leaders
      • Embracing the Rise of a Democratic Egypt
      • Protests in Afghanistan Turn Deadly for Coalition Forces and UN Personnel
      • Haiti: Another Failing Humanitarian Investment
      • What Karzai Can Learn from Calderon
      • START II: A Necessary, Easy Success that Nearly Failed
      • Why Does the U.S. Government Support Independence for the Breakaway Serb Territory of Kosovo but Oppose Independence for the Breakaway Georgian Territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia?
      • Iraq's Electric Issues: When Human Wants Trump Economic Sense
      • The International Community Reacts to Wikileaks: We May Be Moving Toward a Third World War in Cyberspace
      • On Climate Gate
      • Assessing Obama's Afghanistan War strategy
      • 2009 Iranian Presidential Election: The Fallout
      • Resolving Sri Lankan Conflict through Free Media
      • What are the Global Consequences of Russia's Invasion of Georgia
      • The War in Iraq: an assessment of President Bush's surge strategy
      • Drug War: Actions of Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador in terms of Resovereignization
      • Is the Iraq Refugee Crisis America's Responsibility?
      • US support for a united Kosovo, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia: why?
      • Should the US withdraw from Iraq?
      • Setting a Timetable for Troop Withdrawal from Iraq is a Terrible Mistake
      • War on Terrorism is needed
    • Law and Order >
      • Rape in the US Military
      • Ethics of Force-feeding Guantanamo Bay Detainees
      • Reacting to the Aftermath of the Tucson Massacre
    • Economy >
      • Affordability Drives Fear of Obamacare and the Individual Mandate
      • Is the Economy Built for a Job's Recovery?
      • Gutting Healthcare Reform of the Individual Mandate
      • Arizona Budget Cuts Lead to Lethal Healthcare Rationing:
      • Shameful Collection Practices of American Banks
      • The Fed Reveals it Actually Undertook an International Bailout
      • Thoughts on French Budgetary Reforms
      • Seniors Start Businesses
      • The Case for Slimming Down the US Military to Make it Better
      • Looking at the Obama Administration's New Approach to Economic Policy
      • Should the Government Regulate the Credit Card Industry?
      • The Big Three's Big Chance
      • The Unhealthy Tone of the Healthcare Reform Debate
      • Should the federal government offer a bailout for home owners?
      • Environmentalists: Do They Do More Good Than More Harm?
      • Responding to Scott Walker's Contribution to the War on Unions
    • US Government >
      • America Needs to Focus on the Impending Fiscal Crisis
      • Reacting to the Bush Era-tax Cut Extension Deal
      • Quitting the Obama Revolution: The Fickle Nature of American Politics
      • John Boehner's Circus
      • Is the Fed Putting Itself in Jeopardy?
      • Wikileaks Goes After the US State Department
      • Discussing the Political Environment Surrounding the 2011 Budget Debate
      • What the Democrats Can Do to Ensure a GOP Year in 2012
      • What the 2010 Midterm Actually Said
      • Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper
      • Democrats Minus Nancy Pelosi Equals Opportunity
      • Terrorists Go Postal: The Terrorism Threat Reexamined
      • Victory in the 2008 Election: Reaction to Barack Obama'a Win >
        • Expectations for Barack Obama
      • President Obama's first one hundred days
      • John McCain's Negative Campaign
      • Reasons People did not Elect John Mccain
      • History judges the George W. Bush Administration
      • Should the next US President focus on domestic issues?
      • President Bush, should he resign or be impeached
      • Should the Ban on Government Sponsored Assassinations be Repealed
    • Off Topic >
      • A Face of America’s Greatest Generation
      • A Story About a Man Who Made the World a Better Place
      • Making the World a Better Place
      • The Bipolar Ethical Nature of Google
      • Learning Computer Plays Jeopardy
      • Verifying Medicine is the Real Thing
      • Taking a Practical Step Forward in Optical Computing Using Slow Light
      • Scientists Take a Closer Look at How Lithium Batteries Work
      • Remarking on the First Blizzard of the 2010-2011 Winter Season
      • Driving in the Snow: Acceleration is the Key
      • How People in Northwest PA Are Coping with the Increasing Cost of Oil
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