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US intelligence report on Khashoggi’s assassination
United States and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter to the Middle East, is an important ally of the United States. And the United States is Saudi Arabia’s main ally in the Western world in the fight against the establishment of control in the Middle East, including Iran. But the exiled Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has now emerged as a new path or barrier between the two countries.
In 2016, he was assassinated at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. A US intelligence report released on Friday blamed Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the killings. He is the de facto head of government of Saudi Arabia and is known as MBS.
The United States attaches great importance to human rights and the war in Yemen
Shortly after the intelligence report was released, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced a travel ban for a Saudi national known as Khashoggi Ban. Blinken said those who were banned were directly involved in all the horrible activities to suppress dissent outside of their own country. It warns that criminals who target dissidents on behalf of a foreign government will not be allowed to set foot on American soil. The US Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on some members of Yuvraj’s entourage. It includes one of his closest associates, former deputy intelligence chief Ahmad Asiri, as well as his personal security forces, who were allegedly involved in the killings.
In 2016, the CIA, the United States Central Intelligence Agency, speculated that Yuvraj had ordered the assassination. However, US officials have yet to publicly state that he was involved. US President Joe Biden is expected to take a stronger stance on human rights and the rule of law in Saudi Arabia than his predecessor, Donald Trump.
President Biden had a phone conversation with King Salman last Thursday. Biden confirmed in a phone call that the United States attaches great importance to universal human rights and the rule of law, the White House said in a statement. The Biden administration is also considering canceling an arms deal with Saudi Arabia, the Reuters news agency recently reported, citing US officials. Because this agreement has raised human rights concerns and is making the war in Yemen look horrible. The current administration is also considering limiting future sales of military equipment to “defensive” weapons. The Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry has denied the report.
America doesn’t like the prince!
The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, is not on the list of favorites of the United States. Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was on the country’s favorites list. Until MBS came to power in 2016, Nayef was the main power in Saudi Arabia. Prince Nayef, popularly known as ‘MBN’, has been arrested on charges of corruption and conspiracy against Yuvraj. Former Secretary of State Nayef al-Qaeda, a key US ally in the royal family, played a key role in the crackdown. He developed close ties with the CIA through former intelligence chief Saad al-Jabri. Saad al-Jabri is currently in exile in Canada. He alleged that Prince Mohammed bin Salman had sent an assault squad to kill him.
Even after that there is no way without Yuvraj!
Although Mohammad bin Salman was outraged by Khashoggi’s murder, he has escaped US sanctions. Yet many activists, including Democrats in the US Congress and UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Calmard, have called for him to be held accountable. President Biden is being very cautious in this regard. He wants to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its human rights abuses, as well as maintain good relations with Saudi Arabia. Because Saudi Arabia has an important role to play in the Middle East question, which is important to the United States. For example, ending the war in Yemen, bringing Iran back to the nuclear deal, fighting Islamist extremists, and promoting Arab-Israeli relations.
But the president has made it clear that he will not have direct contact with Prince Mohammed like his predecessor, Donald Trump. Instead, Biden is working with his father, King Salman. But there is no way out without it. Because King Salman is 65 years old. It is very difficult for him to run the government. The worse America’s relationship with Saudi Arabia, the more it will be seen as a gift to Iran.
Ittefaq / AHP
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