The Disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi Casts Suspicion on the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman

The Political Scene | The New Yorker
Date: October 11, 2018
Host: Dorothy Wickenden
Guest: Dexter Filkins, staff writer at The New Yorker

Overview

This episode examines the disappearance and presumed assassination of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, exploring its far-reaching political implications. The conversation explores the close ties between the Trump administration and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the complexities of MBS’s image as both a reformer and a ruthless autocrat, and the likely consequences for U.S.-Saudi relations and American foreign policy in the Middle East.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jamal Khashoggi’s Disappearance and Background

• Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist, vanished after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
• Turkish intelligence later accused Saudi Arabia of murdering him.
• Khashoggi had been openly critical of the Saudi regime and MBS’s consolidation of power.

Khashoggi (quoted in earlier interview): “I still see him [MBS] as a reformer, but he is gathering all power within his hand... Allowing women to drive or for women to be empowered or to limit the power of the religious establishment, I demanded that, and he is doing the right things. But... no one should be jailed for... Fair enough.” (02:02)

2. Personal Connection: Filkins on Khashoggi

• Dexter Filkins reveals he spoke to Khashoggi shortly before his disappearance.
• Khashoggi had information on arrests of Saudi journalists and wanted to draw attention to the growing crackdown.

Filkins: “I spoke to him about a week before he disappeared. …He said: ‘I have the charge sheets. I can show you everything. I think it would be a really good story for you.’ And then he disappeared.” (03:19)

3. Trump Administration’s Response

• The White House response was characterized as muted and cautious.
• Secretary of State Pompeo and President Trump issued restrained statements, asking Saudi Arabia to investigate but showing little outward pressure.

Filkins: "...the evidence is pretty clear what happened. Something really terrible happened... Yet the Trump administration has been surprisingly restrained." (03:58)

4. The U.S.-Saudi Relationship and MBS’s Rise

• The Trump administration, led in part by Jared Kushner, anchored its Middle East policy on a close alliance with Saudi Arabia (and Israel), with MBS as their chosen partner.
• Filkins details how Kushner and the administration helped elevate MBS’s status and power to implement their vision for regional realignment.

Filkins: “We need a change agent. We need somebody who's going to remake this system and save it. And MBS is the guy.” (05:31)

5. MBS’s Reformist Persona Versus His Autocracy

• MBS received widespread acclaim for reforms such as allowing women to drive.
• Simultaneously, he orchestrated violent and repressive crackdowns against journalists, activists, and royal family members.

Filkins: "He's very much a two-sided figure. ...He's been very dynamic... But ...absolutely ruthless in suppressing any kind of opposition." (07:01)

6. The Ritz-Carlton Shakedown and International Reception

• MBS detained over 100 prominent Saudis, including royals, in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, forcibly extracting wealth through alleged abuse.
• Despite these abuses, he was hailed as a reformer during his U.S. trip.

Filkins: “...it was a big shakedown. ...A lot of those interrogations were violent. Some people died in custody. ...He was feted as, you know, the great reformer, the great visionary. I was a little shocked by that.” (08:03)

7. Business Summit and Economic Ties Amid Scandal

• MBS was scheduled to host a business summit at the same Ritz-Carlton; some, like The New York Times, withdrew after the Khashoggi story broke, but many U.S. financiers remained slated to attend due to lucrative Saudi investments.

Filkins: “The short answer is Saudi Arabia has a lot of money to spend. …all the big American financers [plan to attend]. I think what's happened to Jamal Khashoggi is going to really, really complicate things for him.” (09:34)

8. Pattern of Repression and the Hariri Incident

• Filkins recounts how MBS summoned Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to Riyadh, detained, and apparently physically abused him, showcasing MBS’s overbearing and rash leadership style.

Filkins: “He brought him to Riyadh and he slapped him around... I've heard that from several American sources. I mean, it's astonishing.” (11:13)

9. Why Was Khashoggi Targeted?

• Khashoggi was not a radical but became a vocal critic, leveraging a high-profile platform in the U.S.
• Filkins argues that MBS could not tolerate even measured criticism, especially in the international press.

Filkins: “He wasn't calling for the overthrow of the monarchy... But he had this platform that was very influential... And I think it drove them crazy.” (13:00)

10. MBS’s Thin Skin and Western Response

• Saudi leadership’s harsh response to even mild international criticism is highlighted, as seen in the diplomatic row with Canada after a simple statement on human rights.

Filkins: “This is a 33-year-old, very thin-skinned leader with enormous power and he does not take criticism very well.” (14:16)

11. Evidence and Investigation into Khashoggi’s Murder

• Turkish intelligence provided strong evidence (security footage, travel records) implicating Saudi operatives.
• U.S. intelligence intercepts hinted at a Saudi plan to lure Khashoggi but ambiguity remained as to their precise intent.
• Saudi authorities blocked meaningful investigation.

Filkins: “There's a lot of evidence... suggests that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. …All the evidence so far points to a terrible, terrible death for Jamal Khashoggi.” (15:50)

12. Potential Consequences for U.S.-Saudi Ties and the Trump Administration’s Middle East Policy

• Bipartisan U.S. senators vowed consequences if Saudi involvement is proved; however, meaningful policy shifts were uncertain.
• The Trump administration’s entire Middle East strategy, premised on Saudi and Israeli cooperation against Iran, could be destabilized.

Filkins: “Their whole worldview in the Middle East is Iran is the enemy and our friends are Israel over here and Saudi Arabia... One of the two pillars of our entire Middle East strategy is now in question.” (18:11)

Memorable Quotes

• Filkins (on MBS): “He’s a very complicated figure... maybe a great reformer on one hand, but has a very, very dark side, which I think we’ve seen more of in the past few weeks.” (08:03)
• Filkins (on the impact of the Khashoggi case): “If the Saudi government assassinated Jamal Khashoggi... they miscalculated. …I think the reaction is going to be pretty brutal. But... this potentially upends their entire Middle East strategy.” (17:25)
• Filkins (on future U.S. stance): “...as awful as this apparent assassination is, it’s hard for me to believe that the Trump White House would jettison Saudi Arabia in any kind of significant way. And that’s disturbing to me because I think there need to be consequences.” (18:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Khashoggi’s reformist views and criticism: 02:02–02:51
• Filkins recalls last conversation with Khashoggi: 03:19
• Trump administration's response: 03:54–04:57
• Origins of MBS-US alignment: 05:31–06:29
• Reformer vs. autocrat persona: 07:01
• Ritz-Carlton crackdown: 08:03
• Business world reaction & economic ties: 09:34
• Saad Hariri incident: 10:47–11:53
• Why Khashoggi was targeted: 13:00
• MBS and criticism from the West: 14:16
• Evidence surrounding the murder: 14:49–16:21
• Potential policy fallout: 18:11

Tone and Language

The discussion is sobering, analytic, and at times incredulous—reflecting the gravity of the alleged state-sponsored murder, shock at U.S. restraint, and concern for the trajectory of both Saudi governance and American foreign policy.

Summary

This episode critically explores the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi and its implications for Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the U.S. and the world. Through Dexter Filkins’ incisive reporting and personal reflections, listeners gain insight into MBS’s dual identity as both a modernizer and a violent autocrat, the complicity and caution of the Trump administration, and the troubling moral and strategic calculations underpinning contemporary foreign policy.