Saudi Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi
Discussion
BlackLabel said:
Makes you cringe doesn't it. This is a bit like a modern day Chamberlain moment but on so far a smaller scale.Ironically after the Arab spring we seem to have less than ideal leaders in Turkey, Saudi and Syria in 2018.
Bring back Muammar Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein. OK, maybe not, but things are not getting better over there.
Israel is loving this current state of affairs ironically.
Wall Street Journal says MBS communicated with adviser during Khashoggi killing.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/mbs-communi...
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/mbs-communi...
Is being a "journalist" how you would term the following
Man of the year though
WashingtonPost said:
Perhaps most problematic for Khashoggi were his connections to an organization funded by Saudi Arabia’s regional nemesis, Qatar. Text messages between Khashoggi and an executive at Qatar Foundation International show that the executive, Maggie Mitchell Salem, at times shaped the columns he submitted to The Washington Post, proposing topics, drafting material and prodding him to take a harder line against the Saudi government
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/jamal-khashoggis-final-months-an-exile-in-the-long-shadow-of-saudi-arabia/2018/12/21/d6fc68c2-0476-11e9-b6a9-0aa5c2fcc9e4_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.88e14d0f0e79Man of the year though
Khashoggi was clearly on the fence when it came to certain things - for example he lobbied the King Salman government for millions so that he could effectively become yet another Saudi lobbyist masquerading as a journalist in Washington. He also worked for Prince Turki Al Faisal the long-standing head of Saudi intelligence - the same Saudi intelligence agency which has murdered and tortured countless people through the years. Ironically, this the same Saudi agency, albeit under different leadership now, which is accused of playing it's part in Khashoggi's death. Moreover, at times he sympathised with extremist Islam and even admitted that he was heartbroken and collapsed crying when his friend Osama Bin Laden died (although he did condemn OBL at the same time for his crimes).
Nevertheless, the path he choose towards the end of his life was that of an honest and honourable journalist and he took on the Saudi government head on knowing full well it would put his life in danger- he could have chosen to live an easy life doing something else but he didn't. Despite his shady past I think he died a principled and brave man and deserves all the praise he's been getting.
Nevertheless, the path he choose towards the end of his life was that of an honest and honourable journalist and he took on the Saudi government head on knowing full well it would put his life in danger- he could have chosen to live an easy life doing something else but he didn't. Despite his shady past I think he died a principled and brave man and deserves all the praise he's been getting.
Edited by BlackLabel on Tuesday 1st January 18:24
Escapegoat said:
What's your point - that he wasn't independent enough to care about?
Whether he was under Qatari influence is neither here nor there. .
If he were a liberal minded journalist revealing the truth about various shady middle eastern countries then his death would have been a tragedy.Whether he was under Qatari influence is neither here nor there. .
I am just pointing out that the definition of "journalist" isn't usually takes material from his paymaster and copies and pastes into an opinion piece. Perhaps you have a different definition of journalist. The Washington Post is uneasy enough about it to now admit to it in an article hedged about with excuses, like his supposed poor English.
Khashoggi has been lauded as a "liberal" voice but in truth he was member of the Muslim Brotherhood and was certainly not on the side of liberalism or secularism. In truth much of the misconceptions about this case stem from ignorance in the western media of the aims of the Muslim Brotherhood.
He did not deserve to die in such a fashion of course just rather questioning why he was the supposed "man of the year".
Khashoggi being outed as a potential Qatari asset is an interesting development. It’s also telling that it’s his former employer the Washington Post that’s putting the information out there, this isn’t just some wacko conspiracy theory from the likes of Donald Trump jnr. No one on here is justifying his murder by simply sharing this news.
BlackLabel said:
Khashoggi being outed as a potential Qatari asset is an interesting development. It’s also telling that it’s his former employer the Washington Post that’s putting the information out there, this isn’t just some wacko conspiracy theory from the likes of Donald Trump jnr. No one on here is justifying his murder by simply sharing this news.
I am not so sure. Those who want top visit violence on those they disagree with will always try to find reasons to justify it - or excuse it.Eric Mc said:
Exige77 said:
I believe the point is, murder is murder so nothing changed but the victim wasn’t just a regular journo just going about his business ?
And that makes a difference why?Does the crime of murder reduce based on the nature of the victim?
It’s adding some context as to “why” the murder might have been commited.
Exige77 said:
I don’t think anybody is suggesting the crime is reduced are they ?
It’s adding some context as to “why” the murder might have been commited.
Yes; in exactly the same way that when someone you love is raped, we are OK to discuss "why" her choice of clothes contributed to the crime.It’s adding some context as to “why” the murder might have been commited.
Oh, hang on...
Escapegoat said:
Exige77 said:
I don’t think anybody is suggesting the crime is reduced are they ?
It’s adding some context as to “why” the murder might have been commited.
Yes; in exactly the same way that when someone you love is raped, we are OK to discuss "why" her choice of clothes contributed to the crime.It’s adding some context as to “why” the murder might have been commited.
Oh, hang on...
Not the same at all.
Eric Mc said:
Exige77 said:
I don’t think anybody is suggesting the crime is reduced are they ?
It’s adding some context as to “why” the murder might have been commited.
Aha - so they had a REASON to do it. That's fine then. Can't have people voicing opposition can we.It’s adding some context as to “why” the murder might have been commited.
When something like this happens it’s useful to understand the full story.
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