The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, though, is different. It crosses a red line.
Luring a prominent journalist who lives in America and writes for one of the country's most prestigious newspapers to a brutal death is an insult that cannot be ignored, US politicians say.
After years of unconditional support for the Saudis, they consider this unacceptable.
In the year since MBS came to power, observers have questioned how much he is tyrant and how much reformer. How much Saddam Hussein and how much Lee Kwan Yew, as one British commentator put it this week.
The answer is becoming clearer - as are doubts about this young ruler's judgement and ability to rule during a crisis.
Whatever the truth about what happened in the Istanbul consulate, the Saudi leadership has seemed paralysed since and MBS may have done his image as enlightened reformer terminal damage.
If he has proven himself an unreliable partner to the West, the lasting consequences for his country could be severe.
Luring a prominent journalist who lives in America and writes for one of the country's most prestigious newspapers to a brutal death is an insult that cannot be ignored, US politicians say.
After years of unconditional support for the Saudis, they consider this unacceptable.
In the year since MBS came to power, observers have questioned how much he is tyrant and how much reformer. How much Saddam Hussein and how much Lee Kwan Yew, as one British commentator put it this week.
The answer is becoming clearer - as are doubts about this young ruler's judgement and ability to rule during a crisis.
Whatever the truth about what happened in the Istanbul consulate, the Saudi leadership has seemed paralysed since and MBS may have done his image as enlightened reformer terminal damage.
If he has proven himself an unreliable partner to the West, the lasting consequences for his country could be severe.
Join Geezgo for free. Use Geezgo's end-to-end encrypted Chat with your Closenets (friends, relatives, colleague etc) in personalized ways.>>
Post a Comment