You know what a common cover for intelligence operative is?
Journalist.
You know what Khashoggi was? He was an operative for the Muslim Brotherhood that the WaPost gave cover to.
Was what the Saudis did reprehensible? Sure.
Was it out of line with what goes on all the time in the Middle East? Not a bit.
I’ve talked with a journalist who barely got out of Turkey with his life and his family as Erdogan consolidated power, for instance. Many did not.
It’s not something that should greatly change how we deal with the Saudis.
Bump!