President Trump “stands with” Saudi Arabia and defends Prince MBS over Khashoggi murder

By 5Pillars

President Donald Trump has issued a statement saying that the United States “stands with” Saudi Arabia whilst absolving Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman of any wrongdoing in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey.

The following statement was published yesterday on the official White House website:

“The world is a very dangerous place!

The country of Iran, as an example, is responsible for a bloody proxy war against Saudi Arabia in Yemen, trying to destabilize Iraq’s fragile attempt at democracy, supporting the terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, propping up dictator Bashar Assad in Syria (who has killed millions of his own citizens), and much more. Likewise, the Iranians have killed many Americans and other innocent people throughout the Middle East. Iran states openly, and with great force, “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” Iran is considered “the world’s leading sponsor of terror.”

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia would gladly withdraw from Yemen if the Iranians would agree to leave. They would immediately provide desperately needed humanitarian assistance. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has agreed to spend billions of dollars in leading the fight against Radical Islamic Terrorism.

After my heavily negotiated trip to Saudi Arabia last year, the Kingdom agreed to spend and invest $450 billion in the United States. This is a record amount of money. It will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, tremendous economic development, and much additional wealth for the United States. Of the $450 billion, $110 billion will be spent on the purchase of military equipment from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and many other great U.S. defense contractors. If we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China would be the enormous beneficiaries – and very happy to acquire all of this newfound business. It would be a wonderful gift to them directly from the United States!

The crime against Jamal Khashoggi was a terrible one, and one that our country does not condone. Indeed, we have taken strong action against those already known to have participated in the murder. After great independent research, we now know many details of this horrible crime. We have already sanctioned 17 Saudis known to have been involved in the murder of Mr. Khashoggi, and the disposal of his body.

Representatives of Saudi Arabia say that Jamal Khashoggi was an “enemy of the state” and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, but my decision is in no way based on that – this is an unacceptable and horrible crime. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman vigorously deny any knowledge of the planning or execution of the murder of Mr. Khashoggi. Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!

That being said, we may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi. In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have been a great ally in our very important fight against Iran. The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region. It is our paramount goal to fully eliminate the threat of terrorism throughout the world!

I understand there are members of Congress who, for political or other reasons, would like to go in a different direction – and they are free to do so. I will consider whatever ideas are presented to me, but only if they are consistent with the absolute security and safety of America. After the United States, Saudi Arabia is the largest oil producing nation in the world. They have worked closely with us and have been very responsive to my requests to keeping oil prices at reasonable levels – so important for the world. As President of the United States I intend to ensure that, in a very dangerous world, America is pursuing its national interests and vigorously contesting countries that wish to do us harm. Very simply it is called America First!”

Khashoggi’s murder: the beginning of the Greater Middle East Project

By Roohullah Ghasemian

TEHRAN - It's not the first time that the Al-Saud regime brutally treats opponents, but it is the first that Western countries react to its hostility. The West generally hides and rejects anti-humanitarian measures because of their dependence on Saudi’s oil, or the sale of billions of weapons or generous suggestions made by the ruling regime.

However, the review of the European approach to prohibiting the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, or the ban of the Saudi investment conference by the world's major corporations, and even Trump double standard remarks in this regard, and the stress on the immediate ceasefire in Yemen, all indicate that a new development is in process.

In fact, neither oil nor market of Saudi Arabia seem to attract the Western countries any longer, as Khashoggi’s case has provided the necessary pretext for Europe to end alliance with one of the most reactionary and primitive states in the world.

Various analyses have been made on the future of U.S.-Saudi relations. 
Some believe that the only reason behind the U.S. backing of the Saudi government is the issue of oil and energy security for the world's largest economy. 

Meanwhile, with the U.S. self-sufficiency in oil production, there is virtually no reason for Washington to support Saudi Arabia, and Trump's remarks on the requirement for the Saudi side to pay for their security costs precisely means that they should not exceed the credibility and interests of the United States for such an alliance.

Referring to the Greater Middle East Project and the need to break up the powers of the region into smaller increments, the experts believe that the U.S. should provide the necessary ground for the balkanization of the region immediately by cutting back from Saudi Arabia.

Interestingly, in most scenarios drawn by Western think tanks for the West Asian future, the Mid-East, along with China and Russia, must be submerged in insecurity and civil wars, ultimately from the ashes of warfare to consolidate the global empire and realization. Providing a new order for the country as well as ensuring Israel's security. Interestingly, the emergence of ISIS, whether willingly or unwillingly, served the greatest part in the realization of the U.S. scenario.

According to the plan, all countries in the region should be split into smaller states based on languages, ethnic, religious, and racial divisions, and without any exception. 

Therefore, although the use of Saudi leverage to curb Iran's power in the region is necessary, eventually this regime, like Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Afghanistan and other countries in the region, must be broken up subtly, with the formation of small, bankrupt and weak states, Israel will become the most powerful actor in the West Asian region.