What's happened
President Trump dismissed questions about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's involvement in Jamal Khashoggi's murder, calling it 'things happen' and defending the prince despite US intelligence conclusions. Trump criticized ABC News and emphasized US-Saudi ties during the visit, which included designating Saudi Arabia a 'major non-NATO ally.'
What's behind the headline?
The recent US visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlights a strategic prioritization of economic and military ties over human rights concerns. Trump's dismissive attitude towards the Khashoggi murder, calling it 'things happen,' signals a willingness to overlook serious allegations for geopolitical gains. The president's defense of MBS, despite US intelligence findings, underscores a broader pattern of realpolitik where economic interests—such as arms deals and investments—take precedence over accountability. The White House's refusal to condemn the murder openly and Trump's attack on ABC News reflect a narrative aimed at maintaining strong diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, even at the expense of human rights and transparency. This approach risks damaging US credibility on global human rights issues and signals a continued alignment with authoritarian regimes for strategic benefits. The visit's timing, with high-profile events and the designation of Saudi Arabia as a 'major non-NATO ally,' indicates a calculated effort to deepen US-Saudi military and economic cooperation, potentially at the cost of international reputation and moral standing.
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that Trump dismissed questions about Khashoggi's murder, calling it 'things happen' and criticizing ABC News for its coverage, while defending the Saudi Crown Prince despite US intelligence conclusions. The Independent highlights Trump's aggressive responses to journalists questioning US-Saudi relations, emphasizing the strategic importance of the alliance and the economic benefits, including new projects and military agreements. The NY Post notes Trump's personal attacks on ABC and his denial of family business involvement in Saudi Arabia, framing the visit as a move to strengthen US-Saudi ties through a 'historic strategic defense agreement.' These contrasting perspectives reveal a pattern of prioritizing diplomatic and economic interests over accountability and human rights concerns.
How we got here
The controversy stems from the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. US intelligence concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder, which Saudi officials deny. The incident has strained US-Saudi relations and raised questions about the prince's role.
Go deeper
More on these topics
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Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, colloquially known as MBS, is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. He is currently serving as the country's deputy prime minister and is also Chairman of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs, Chairman of
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi was a Saudi Arabian dissident, author, columnist for The Washington Post, and a general manager and editor-in-chief of Al-Arab News Channel who was assassinated at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018 by agents of the Sa
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ABC News is the news division of Walt Disney Television serving American Broadcasting Company broadcast network. Its flagship program is the daily evening newscast ABC World News Tonight with David Muir; other programs include morning news-talk show Good