There is little doubt that Khashoggi was not a classic journalist but an Islamist opinion writer with access to Western media. He liked to criticize the Saudi royals. The 9/11 Saudis respond to criticism as if someone is dripping acid on their brain. No rational person should be surprised that the 9/11 Saudis would kill this man in one of their consulates. Nor should anyone be astonished that the thug Islamist Erdogan would squeeze the Saudis for al he can over this murder or the Iranians use it for their purposes. Nor should anyone be surprised that the Saudi bought and well paid for influence they have in the media joins the chorus of 9/11 Saudi defenders. Face it. The Saudis have a well stocked tent, welcome toall who will collude, in the swamp.
Nevertheless all this murderous itrigue reflects the current insolvable turmoil in the Islamic world. Islamic culture cannot stand up to the challenge of Western modernity. The individual freedoms, institutions and values of the West are not compatible with Islamic culture. Yet with modern digital communications, travel, business and a modicum of education the people in these repressive societies are demanding change. Hence the turmoil, violence and the desperate reactionary attempts of the vile 9/11 Saudi royals, the deluded corrupt Erdogan and the medieval mullahs to secure their status and privilege. Americans cannot change these societies by force. It will be a very long time before there are enough enlightened people in these forsaken places before they become decent places to live.
Yes. Complex. Repressive. Brutal. Deceptive. Totalitarian Mess.
Agreed.
I have said before that Islam can't be reformed so what we have to do is poison Islam by freeing its women and getting them interested in worldly things like personal vanity and thinking more about themselves and worldly pleasures than in doing what their God wants done. -Tom