Small Wars Journal

Saudis Called Khashoggi ‘Sacrificial Animal’ as They Waited to Kill Him

Thu, 06/20/2019 - 1:39am

Saudis Called Khashoggi ‘Sacrificial Animal’ as They Waited to Kill Him by David D. Kirkpatrick and Nick Cumming-Bruce – New York Times

Key takeaways from the United Nations report on the killing of Jamal Khashoggi:

• Saudi officials carried out an extensive cover-up of Mr. Khashoggi’s killing in a Saudi consulate in October, scrubbing down rooms, blocking investigators and possibly burning evidence.

• The destruction of evidence and the active role of the Saudi consul general in organizing the operation in coordination with officials in Riyadh suggest that the killing and cover-up were authorized at the highest levels of the Saudi royal court.

• The report presents a new challenge to President Trump, who has embraced the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, as a pivotal ally and sought to avoid blaming him for directing the killing.

Read on.