How The Alleged Murder of Saudi Journalist Could Hurt U.S.-Saudi Relations

The disappearance and alleged murder of dissident Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a visit to the Saudi consult in Istanbul is only likely to challenge an already tense U.S.-Saudi relationship, according to The Washington Post.

The Trump Administration has expressed public concern over Khashoggi’s fate, but has not delved deeper into the budding international incident. The Kingdom has denied any knowledge of his whereabouts.

The Post writes that confirmation that Khashoggi was killed, as some senior Turkish officials have claimed, or even his disappearance at Saudi hands will probably start a new round of congressional pressure to take another look at the relationship with Riyadh.

I pray Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is alive. But if this deeply disturbing news report is confirmed, the United States & the civilized world must respond strongly, and I will review all options in Senate. https://t.co/LzrKiRveRp

— Senator Rubio Press (@SenRubioPress) October 7, 2018

U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have long been suspicious of Saudi religious extremism and historic ties to terrorism. But more recently, the lawmakers have been highly critical of Saudi actions in Yemen and at home.