By now, it’s clear Jamal Khashoggi is dead. He has been missing for more than two weeks. And it also seems clear the Saudis were, in some way, responsible. And of the potential guilty parties, Mohammed bin Salman, is the most likely perpetrator. This sort of operation is typical for the Crown Prince. And it is likely his father, King Salman, knew nothing of the operation, which allows him plausible deniability.
What should the US do? This is the problem at hand. Aside from the pricey arms deal, the war in Yemen, and multilevel business relationships, the real issue is that Saudi Arabia is our essential counterpoint to Iran in the Middle East. We can’t escape this part of the relationship.
While some sanctions or other such punishments may be delivered to save face for the US, we will not walk away from our overall relationship with the Saudis.
