Donald Trump has referred to the suspected murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi as “the worst cover-up ever”, after the US announced sanctions and repercussions for a number of Saudi officials.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US will be revoking the visas of those accused of murdering the Washington Post journalist, who vanished after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October. Pompeo said that the administration has “identified at least some of the individuals responsible”, CNN reports.
A US State Department spokesman declined to name the 21 officials so far believed to be involved, citing US law that says “visa confidentiality ... prohibits us from discussing individual visa cases”.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Speaking from the Oval Office yesterday, President Trump spoke bluntly of the botched assassination: “It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups,” he said “It's very simple.”
Asked by the Wall Street Journal about the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s possible involvement, Trump said: “Well, the prince is running things over there more so at this stage. He’s running things and so if anybody were going to be [involved], it would be him.”
Pressed on whether he believed Bin Salman’s denials that he ordered the execution or knew about it beforehand, the US president “paused for several seconds”, says The Guardian, before saying: “I want to believe them. I really want to believe them.”
Despite his criticism of the Saudi regime, Trump has continued to highlight the kingdom’s importance to the US as a key ally in the Middle East throughout the Khashoggi crisis, referring multiple times to planned weapons deals between the two countries.
-
Why are American conservatives clashing with Pope Leo?Talking Points Comments on immigration and abortion draw backlash
-
9 haunted hotels where things definitely go bump in the nightThe Week Recommends Don’t fear these spirited spots. Embrace them.
-
Saudi comedy fest exposes free speech schism in stand-upIN THE SPOTLIGHT The decision by some of stand-up’s biggest names to attend a festival in a nation infamous for its censorship has the comedy world picking sides and settling old scores
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Israel-US 'rift': is Trump losing patience with Netanyahu?Today's Big Question US president called for an end to Gaza war and negotiated directly with Hamas to return American hostage, amid rumours of strained relations
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
