With regard to the best response to the Khashoggi now-admitted murder, I advocated the extreme response of demanding those responsible, and those who conspired to do so, be delivered to Turkey for trial. I have my doubts that’ll happen.
However, I forgot one important point. When it comes to Princes eligible for the throne, those of us in the West are not accustomed to a large selection. Two, maybe three princes or even princesses, but inevitably, like bad produce, one will have worms be crazy as a loon. But when it comes to the House of Saud?
The family is estimated to comprise 15,000 members, but the majority of the power and wealth is possessed by a group of about 2,000 of them. [Wikipedia]
Not all of those 2,000 will be eligible for the throne, but a sizable chunk will be. And while I know there are rules of succession and a council of Saudi princes who are supposed to select successors, it’s a monarchy. The King gets what he wants.
And if he has a lot of princes to choose from and a sense of responsibility towards the future of his kingdom, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS), thought to be responsible for this plot, may find his head on the chopping block, metaphorically or literally, even though MBS is the son of King Salman. There are lots of potential successors, and King Salman may regard MBS’ performance as Crown Prince as an audition of sorts. And, along with the failing war in Yemen, this may be viewed as a failure.
My advice to President Trump? Go all in on demanding justice. You are, after all, in a role where you are to advocate for justice, not to protect economic advantage at all costs. There are reports that MBS is sacrificing aides and allies to divert responsibility, so he may be wobbly, giving the King the option of sacrificing the Crown Prince.
That would leave both the King and Trump smelling damn good, and that’s what Trump desperately needs – a good point with the independents with elections coming up.
But we know he won’t. He’s cunning, but not bright.
And that’s my thought of the day.
