Topic: Jamal Khashoggi

President Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House with full military honors, including a flyover and parade. The visit focused on a projected $600 billion to $1 trillion in Saudi investments in the United States, alongside the sale of American-made tanks and F-35 fighter jets. Media coverage highlighted the contrast between these massive economic deals and the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which U.S. intelligence linked to the Crown Prince.

Author Scott Horton criticized the administration's decision to normalize relations with a Syrian regime previously linked to Al-Qaeda. Horton argued that lifting sanctions on a "murdering butcher" is a strategic error and questioned the influence of business interests in Saudi Arabia on U.S. foreign policy. He also addressed the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

C-SPAN callers expressed frustration with mainstream media coverage focusing on political theater rather than substantive issues like Julian Assange or the actual conditions on the ground in North Carolina. The hosts argue that the public's distrust of both the media and the government is a natural result of the disconnect between official narratives and reality.

The CBC provides a summary of the 85 targets struck by the U.S. military, including logistics and intelligence centers. The hosts contrast the lack of outrage over the death of American journalist Gonzalo Lira in a Ukrainian prison with the years of coverage dedicated to Jamal Khashoggi. They conclude that the military-industrial complex is "out of control" and may be escalating conflicts before a potential Trump presidency.

Saudi Arabia provided a lavish welcome for Xi Jinping, contrasting with the muted reception for President Joe Biden earlier in the year. Reports indicate $30 billion in agreements were signed, focusing on technology and regional security. Meanwhile, a US judge dismissed a lawsuit against Mohammed bin Salman regarding the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, citing immunity granted by the Biden administration.

The Biden administration determined that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) should be granted immunity in a lawsuit regarding the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The State Department argued that MBS's recent appointment as Prime Minister qualifies him as a foreign head of government with legal protection. Human rights groups criticized the "U-turn," claiming it gives the Prince a "green light" to continue attacking critics.

Legal experts debated the State Department's decision to grant MBS immunity, citing the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and customary international law. While some argue that immunity is a standard diplomatic obligation for heads of state, others contend that MBS is not the true head of state in Saudi Arabia, as the King still holds that title. The decision is seen by many as a pragmatic move to secure oil production from the kingdom.

President Biden's visit to Saudi Arabia was marked by a controversial fist bump with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). While Biden claimed to have confronted MBS over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi officials later contradicted this account. The Washington Post criticized the meeting as providing "unwarranted redemption" for the Saudi leader.

President Biden concluded a four-day trip to the Middle East, which included a controversial fist bump with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. While Biden claimed to have raised the issue of Jamal Khashoggi's murder, human rights activists criticized the meeting for emboldening the Saudi leadership.

President Biden’s upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is analyzed. The hosts criticize an NPR report for historical inaccuracies regarding the first Gulf War and the 1970s oil embargo, suggesting the media is reshaping the narrative to justify Biden's diplomatic pivot.

The discussion continues on the complexities of the US-Saudi alliance, touching on the 9/11 hijackers, the war in Yemen, and the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. Clips highlight the contrast between Biden's campaign rhetoric calling Saudi Arabia a "pariah" and his current administration's pragmatic approach to regional security.

A consortium of media organizations and Amnesty International revealed that NSO Group's "Pegasus" spyware has been used by governments to target journalists, activists, and world leaders. The software can turn a smartphone into a total surveillance tool. Targets reportedly included the fiancé of Jamal Khashoggi. NSO Group maintains that its technology is intended solely for tracking terrorists and criminals.

The New York Times reports that four of the Saudi men involved in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi received State Department-approved paramilitary training in the United States. The training was provided by Tier One Group, a company owned by the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, where former Vice President Dan Quayle serves as chairman.

Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos attended a vigil in Istanbul to mark the one-year anniversary of the assassination of columnist Jamal Khashoggi. The event took place outside the Saudi consulate where the killing occurred. Bezos's presence at the international event highlights the ongoing tension between the Washington Post and the Saudi government.

UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard released a report concluding that Saudi Arabia is responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The report's timing coincides with a U.S. Senate vote attempting to block multi-billion dollar arms sales to the Saudi kingdom.

Saudi Arabia carried out mass executions of 37 prisoners, drawing international condemnation. At a Time 100 event, Jared Kushner defended the U.S. relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, while comedian Hassan Minhaj criticized the administration's ties to the regime.

The Bezos investigation has expanded to include potential geopolitical motives involving Saudi Arabia and the murder of columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Bezos suggested in a Medium post that his ownership of The Washington Post made him an enemy of powerful entities, including the Saudi government. Additionally, journalist Ronan Farrow claimed he faced similar blackmail threats from AMI during his reporting on the company's ties to Donald Trump.

The New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence agencies uncovered a 2017 recording of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stating he would use a "bullet" on Jamal Khashoggi. The discovery was made during a retrospective review of intercepted communications by the National Security Agency. The timing of the leak is questioned, as it coincided with a White House deadline to determine responsibility for the journalist's murder.

The Washington Post published a report admitting that columns by Jamal Khashoggi were frequently shaped and drafted by Maggie Mitchell Salem of the Qatar Foundation International. Text messages revealed that Salem proposed topics and prodded Khashoggi to take a harder line against the Saudi government. This admission suggests Khashoggi acted as a shill for Qatari interests rather than as an independent journalist.

The 2019 New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square was dedicated to the protection of journalists, featuring representatives from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The CPJ reported that 53 journalists were killed on the job in 2018. The hosts criticize the focus on Jamal Khashoggi, arguing that his role as a columnist and political operative is being conflated with traditional journalism.