Khashoggi was a great intellect. The wild thing is he wasnt even anti royal. He was close to the Royal Court during King Abdullah's reign and only fell out of favour when MBS came to power. Its the widespread arrests and travel bans that prompted him to leave the country.
Abdullah was more pragmatic vis-a-vis the MB and Qatar, and allowed space for voices who also were sympathetic to that current ( including Khashoggi). MBS has treated anyone even remotely sympathetic to political Islamists like the MB, and any other form of political organization, as terrorists. At this rate, I suspect they will likely see through the death penalty to Salman Al-Ouda as well (
Salman al-Ouda - Wikipedia) ( who was among the cases that Khashoggi tried to call attention to).
I do think if Turkey releases any evidence that helps further corroborate a murder or if Saudi doesnt produce any proof of life in the following weeks this will transform into a much broader diplomatic crisis. I know brehs are saying this is business as usual but I disagree. Khashoggi was extremely well-connected both in the Arab/Muslim world and in the States, and was billingual enough to be high profile in both realms. Also considering this took place in Turkey, I suspect this will escalate.
Saudi defense sale approvals are already getting tighter votes than ever before in recent history. I can forsee the first Congressional blocking of a sale since the 80s very soon.
Heard he was chopped up.
