Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the widow of Jamal Khashoggi, and Democratic members of Congress have called upon President Trump to release the transcript of his phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following Khashoggi’s murder in 2018. Rep. Vindman, who served on Trump’s National Security Council, has described the 2019 call as “highly disturbing” and urged for its declassification. Khashoggi’s widow and other critics have condemned Trump’s cordial reception of MBS and defense of Saudi Arabia, especially given US intelligence agencies’ findings that MBS ordered the murder. This call for transparency and justice comes amid continued arms sales to the kingdom, ongoing investigations, and potential business ventures that may present conflicts of interest.
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As AP News reports, Jamal Khashoggi’s widow is demanding the release of the transcript of a 2019 phone call between former President Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman, raising questions about Trump’s potential personal benefits from his relationship with the Saudi crown prince. Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Eugene Vindman, are also seeking the transcript, with Vindman describing the call as “shocking.” These concerns are fueled by Trump’s dismissal of U.S. intelligence findings regarding Prince Mohammed’s involvement in Khashoggi’s 2018 murder, along with the former president’s family’s business dealings in Saudi Arabia. The situation mirrors Trump’s first impeachment, and while release is unlikely, the lawmakers emphasize that Trump’s actions reflect a concerning trend.
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Representative Eugene Vindman is advocating for the release of a classified transcript from a 2019 phone call between Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, following the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Vindman, a former National Security Council lawyer, claims the call’s contents were “shocking” and the public deserves to know what was said. He has launched a campaign, including a press conference with Khashoggi’s widow, and is working with other House Democrats to pressure Trump to release the transcript. Vindman’s efforts were spurred by Trump’s recent defense of the Crown Prince and disparaging remarks about Khashoggi, prompting him to seek accountability and transparency.
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During his White House visit, President Donald Trump warmly embraced Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, dismissing U.S. intelligence findings that implicated the Crown Prince in the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump praised Prince Mohammed as an indispensable player in the Middle East and announced Saudi Arabia’s increased investment in the U.S. Furthermore, Trump announced agreements including the sale of F-35 fighter jets, a defense agreement, and designation of Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, despite concerns about human rights and potential conflicts of interest. The visit also aimed to advance the Abraham Accords and normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, though the Saudis insisted on a path to Palestinian statehood first.
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During a recent meeting in the Oval Office, former President Trump downplayed the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, calling him “extremely controversial” and suggesting that raising the issue was intended to embarrass Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump maintained that the Crown Prince was not involved in the murder despite the CIA’s assessment that he likely approved the assassination. In his own defense, the Crown Prince acknowledged the murder was a “huge mistake” and claimed Saudi Arabia conducted a proper investigation. The visit marked the Crown Prince’s first to Washington since before the murder.
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Saudi journalist Turki al-Jasser was executed in Riyadh after seven years of detention, for alleged crimes against national security, including communicating with individuals outside the kingdom. His execution follows the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi and is believed to be linked to anonymous Twitter accounts criticizing the Saudi royal family. Al-Jasser’s case highlights the Saudi government’s crackdown on dissent, facilitated by the infiltration of Twitter and subsequent access to user data. Despite international condemnation and legal mechanisms for intervention, the execution underscores Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s continued intolerance of criticism.
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Donald Trump’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia, marked by effusive praise for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has drawn sharp criticism from 9/11 victims’ families. While Trump lauded MBS’s economic achievements, ignoring the kingdom’s alleged role in the attacks, some victims’ family members expressed profound pain and anger at this perceived betrayal of the “Never Forget” pledge. This stark contrast highlights the deep divisions surrounding Saudi Arabia’s involvement in 9/11 and the ongoing struggle for accountability and justice. Differing opinions exist among victims’ families themselves, with some prioritizing pursuing justice against the U.S. intelligence agencies while others focus on Saudi culpability.
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Saudi Arabia firmly rejected President Trump’s assertion that it wouldn’t require a Palestinian state for normalized relations with Israel, stating that its support for a Palestinian homeland is unwavering and non-negotiable. This announcement directly counters Trump’s proposal to have the U.S. take over Gaza after Palestinian resettlement. The Saudi foreign ministry emphasized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s clear and explicit stance against any displacement of Palestinians. This position reflects widespread Arab concern over potential Palestinian displacement and underscores the high stakes involved in Saudi-Israeli relations.
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A massive scheme inflating Saudi Arabian university rankings through the fraudulent use of highly cited researchers has largely collapsed. The number of researchers falsely claiming Saudi affiliations plummeted by 76% following an EL PAÍS investigation, revealing payments of up to €70,000 annually to falsify employment data. This deception, involving hundreds of scientists globally, was largely successful for years until tighter scrutiny by Clarivate, the ranking compiler, and increased media attention exposed the practice. The resulting drop significantly impacts Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious goals for Saudi universities, and the implicated institutions have seen their highly cited researcher numbers drastically reduced. This outcome highlights the growing international effort to combat academic misconduct and manipulate academic rankings.
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Upon hearing the news that Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, at the age of 88, has been diagnosed with pneumonia, a wave of thoughts and reflections flooded my mind. In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has been the de facto leader of the country, with King Salman serving more as a figurehead than an active ruler. It seems that MBS has been the one wielding the true power and making decisions that shape the nation’s trajectory. The idea of the king being hooked up to a golden respirator paints a vivid image of the opulence and extravagance that is often associated with the Saudi royal family.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker