US‑Saudi Ties Hang in the Balance After Khashoggi’s Murder
After the brutal killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi embassy in Istanbul, a surge of criticism has begun to strain the long‑standing partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia. Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki bin Faisal al Saud warned that the public denouncement of Riyadh could jeopardise shared interests on a global stage.
Turki’s Call for a Calm, Diplomatic Stance
Addressing the National Council on U.S.–Arab Relations, a non‑profit advocacy group, Prince Turki, who once mentored Khashoggi and served as ambassador in London and Washington, said:
- “We cherish our strategic partnership with the U.S. and aim to keep it thriving.”
- “We expect the U.S. to reciprocate in kind.”
He sharply criticized what he termed the “demonization of Saudi Arabia.” The remarks echo Riyadh’s official position, as Turki heads an Islamic research centre named after his late father, King Faisal.
What’s Really Going On?
Inside Istanbul, the prosecutor announced Tuesday that Khashoggi was suffocated in a premeditated murder, then his body was dismembered. In the U.S., Khashoggi had been writing critical columns for the Washington Post from his self‑imposed exile. Some lawmakers blame Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, an accusation Riyadh dismisses, and threat of sanctions has been floated.
Turki’s Perspective
Recall that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have survived crises that later erupted, like the 1973 oil embargo. Turki pointed out that
“Now, our relationship is under threat again,” he said. He described the current wave of anger as “unfairly intense and revelatory,” a tone he felt was unfit for a nation-dependent partnership.
The Bottom Line
Turbimated by an increasingly hostile environment, the prince emphasized Saudi Arabia’s commitment to justice:
- Still pressuring for accountability of those who killed Khashoggi.
- Seeking to uphold the rule of law.
Under President Trump, the U.S. revoked visas of some Saudi officials involved in the murder, urging full responsibility. Turki reminded readers that the U.S.–Saudi bond “is too big to fail.” Its worth goes beyond oil, encompassing shared goals: peace initiatives, oil market stability, counter‑terrorism, and Iran containment.
In Summary
While the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have weathered past storms, the Khashoggi incident may ignite a new crisis. Turki’s speech urges calm: a war of words, he argues, will do no good for either side’s broader strategic aims. The hope? That both nations can keep the relationship strong, even when headlines seem unfriendly.
