In a stunning and confusing twist, Saudi Arabia admitted that that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in its Turkey-based consulate. Both the mainstream media and the blogosphere lit up upon the revelation, with many politicians denouncing the Middle-Eastern nation.
The heated response wasn’t unusual in the least. Islamic radical terrorism calls Saudi Arabia home. One of the most damning pieces of evidence for this statement is the 9/11 attack. Almost all of the terrorists had Saudi citizenship. The only non-Saudis involved were one terrorist each from Egypt and Lebanon, and two from the United Arab Emirates.
In a heated political environment ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, this was a rare opportunity for bipartisan unity. Instead, President Trump was relatively muted on the Khashoggi admission. Trump asserted that the Saudi government’s explanation for the Khashoggi murder was credible. Moreover, he stated that the explanation was a “very important first step.”
But for what? Of course, the answer involves the administration’s lucrative relationship with Saudi Arabia. Trump admitted as such, stating that he hoped the Khashoggi assassination and subsequent American response won’t impact the arms deal that the U.S. secured with the suddenly-embattled country.
The White House might get what it wants despite this disaster in foreign policy. However, it will come at a cost.
Khashoggi Exposes the Façade of Terrorism
From day one, the Khashoggi controversy never made sense. First, he was missing. When mounting evidence indicated that Saudi Arabia directed a hit, the government still maintained its innocence. But with the media talking about this case 24/7, the Saudis could no longer play dumb.
When the admission finally came, the Trump administration played cool. Not only that, some of Trump’s ardent supporters, such as televangelist Pat Robertson, pushed for a measured approach. Astoundingly, Robertson cited the $100 billion arms deal, stating:
We cannot alienate our biggest player in the Middle East.
What? If you’ve ever listened to Robertson’s 700 Club broadcast, he’s a fierce critic of Islam. He was among the vocal minority supporting Trump’s Muslim ban. Robertson was very specific about his disdain for Muslim immigrants, fearing that they would bring Sharia law into the U.S. Moreover, he stated that Islam should not be considered a religion, but a military system intent on total control.
Now, Robertson wants to support the epicenter of Islam, despite overwhelming evidence that Khashoggi was assassinated. What changed his tune? Again, it’s money. And what does the Bible say about the love of money?
This harkens back to a recent Crush The Street interview with freelance journalist Eva Bartlett, who claims that the U.S. government is not fighting ISIS; instead, it’s allowing the terrorist organization to flourish.
While we don’t have enough evidence to fully decipher the administration’s intentions, one thing is clear: terrorism is a useful plotline that can be adjusted at will.
Original Article Available HERE