Behind the Khashoggi Curtain: How Saud al-Qahtani Turned a News Story into a Political Chess‑Move
Picture this: a cousin of a prince, a handful of snipers, a call on Skype, and a headline that could topple a modern monarchy. That’s the drama that plays out when you mix Saudi political intrigue with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Below, we unpack the wizard‑like power play of Saud al-Qahtani, a name that has become synonymous with ruthless influence in Riyadh.
Who is the Accused “Bad Cop”?
- Saud al-Qahtani – a 40‑year‑old former air force captain turned social‑media wrangler.
- Forget “Steve Bannon” – he’s the kind of strategist who tweets on behalf of a king, fires back at critics, and never says no to a hard job.
- Highly connected: From the early 2000s, he’s been pulling levers behind Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s – a.k.a. MbS – every move.
Why the Crown Prince Had To Pin the Blame on Qahtani
When Khashoggi’s body came to light, international outrage spiked faster than a social‑media meme. Saudi Arabia needed a scapegoat, and Qahtani fit the bill, just like a convenient “fall‑boy” in political theater.
- Riyadh’s new policy? “Let’s not drop the entire monarchy.” By sharpening the focus on one person, they preserved the bigger picture.
- Qahtani’s soap‑opera: He’s gone from editor to “chairman of cybersecurity” to a centre‑piece in the Saudi elite’s public relations machine.
- But loosening the veil? “Hard to shape Qahtani as the mastermind without taking a look at Prince Mohammed’s role,” says insiders.
Cookie‑Cutter Video? Nope, a Skype‑in‑The‑Middle‑East Incident
Sources when recount the scene: 15 men, a jet, an Istanbul consulate, and a live Skype‑chat to orchestrate the whole operation. For those listening, the picture looks a little like a Hollywood action sequence, except all the actors were under oath.
- Qahtani was literally “beamed” into the room via Skype. He started insulting Khashoggi and had the squad say “bring me the head of the dog,” according to Turkish intel.
- The “record” is now in the possession of President Erdogan. He’s holding onto it like a secret sauce, refusing to let the U.S. see it.
- All the time, the Saudi officials polarised themselves – one said it was just a “fight” at the consulate, another refused to mention Qahtani’s call.
From Hariri to Khashoggi: Acrime of “Loose Ends”
Qahtani has been, on a résumé‑meter, the most menacing hand behind the Saudi regime’s margin. His track record includes:
- Kidnapping Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al‑Hariri last year and forcing him to resign.
- Leading a crackdown in 2017 that saw 200 officials detained at the Ritz‑Carlton.
- Operating a WhatsApp group that read like a governmental puppet‑show, dictating the king’s line to journalists.
When the Heart of a Journalist Becomes a Pieces of Diplomacy
After Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia for Washington, Saud al‑Qahtani tried to convince him to return home. He promised a job at the royal court, but the former journalist feared the usual fate of outspoken critics. The insiders say he told Khashoggi he could be in “jail or even worse” after a “homecoming.”
International Fallout: Arms Deals, Diplomatic Fears, and Helicopter Rescue Ops
When the Khashoggi killing surfaced, Western governments began to pivot. Germany halted arms sales. Britain, France and Germany issued a joint “urgent clarification” demand. Meanwhile, President Trump struggled with the dilemma of supporting a lifeboat for the Saudi regime while trying to keep the U.S. arms market open.
What the Crown Prince Tries to Claim
Prince Mohammed says he had no knowledge of the plan that turned a detained journalist into a headline‑making tragedy. In Riyadh, officials deny any direct orders, but the heavy shadow of Qahtani’s influence looms over the whole narrative.
In an effort to smooth the mess, King Salman has sacked Qahtani and restructured intelligence. A “big‑wig” in his path? Probably not.
Bottom Line
Saud al‑Qahtani’s role in the Khashoggi case illustrates a bigger trend: a king’s inner circle uses modern tech, clever policy smacks, and a willingness to seal deals that work out to the world. In a prophetic twist of fate, the man who tried to bring Khashoggi back ended up erasing himself from the spotlight – an iron‑clad reminder of the perils of playing a high-stakes political chessgame.
