How US senate report on Kashogi murder could impact Bin Salman? Shafaqna Analysis

by Tauqeer Abbas
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The release of the declassified US intelligence report into the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi represents a blow to the power, prestige and international standing of one of the most powerful men in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Despite “Justice for Jamal” being a constant demand by his employees at the Post, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, human rights activists around the world and even senators at home, it took the US until now to publicly acknowledge what had generally been known since the fall of 2018. Following Biden’s report and his phonecall to King Salman on “universal human rights,” a new Khashoggi Ban has been introduced to restrict visas for individuals directly engaged in “serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities.” Also making headlines are sanctions against the crown prince’s Tiger Squad–accused of ring-leading the murder in Istanbul.

Biden’s sterner measures and inclination for normal communication channels with Riyadh have made it clear that MBS would no longer enjoy the privileged access to the White House he was cossetted by Trump. He has even stopped the sale of arms shipment worth billions of dollars that Saudis were to use in their war against Yemen.

It could even have implications for the West’s dealings with Saudi Arabia for decades to come. Asserting that the crown prince, known by his initials as MBS, was complicit in that gruesome murder in 2018, will make it harder than ever for Western leaders to be publicly associated with him as an individual. Yet, as things stand today, MBS looks set to be the power on the Saudi throne for a very long time.

How this public release would tilt the ties between two superpowers remains to be seen. But with a little tightening of the screws, the US has at least put forward its demand for a more transparent relationship. Biden has, indeed, sent in a message that lawlessness would not stand. Whether MBS and his allies take it to mean an end to their alleged games of blood or a trumpet of war would spell their next move on the chessboard of international politics.

Shafaqna Pakistan

pakistan.shafaqna.com

 

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