Thursday, November 01, 2018

MBS’s Removal ‘Just A Question Of Time’ – Former Pentagon Official


Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman finds his carefully managed reputation in ruins due to his perceived hand in the gruesome death of journalist Jamal Kashoggi. Now, Prince Ahmad bin Abdulaziz - an uncle and consistent critic of MBS - is returning from exile with a private security detail (provided by US and UK). What is he intending? Former Pentagon official Michael Maloof shares his wisdom and expertise.

Khashoggi Murder: 'Nobody Now Believes Mohammed bin Salman Is a Reformer'


Wednesday, October 31, 2018

King Salman's Brother Returns to Riyadh amid Khashoggi Crisis l Breaking News


The only surviving full brother of Saudi Arabia's King Salman has reportedly returned to the kingdom, amid international outcry over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Prince Ahmad bin Abdulaziz flew back to Riyadh from London on Tuesday, according to three Saudi sources close to the prince cited by 'The New York Times', in what some analysts are calling a potential challenge to the authority of Saudi Arabia's de-facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

One of the most senior members of the royal family, Prince Ahmad - who has been living in the United Kingdom - is said to have agreed to return to Riyadh only after receiving security assurances from the UK and United States.

The reports say the prince had been afraid to return home after publicly challenging bin Salman on several occasions.


Saudi Lobbying in the US Under Spotlight after Khashoggi Murder | Al Jazeera English


Saudi Arabia has amassed one of the largest and best-funded lobbying operations in the US. The kingdom has spent millions of dollars to buy influence in Washington. But in the wake of the Khashoggi scandal, some PR firms are dropping Riyadh as a client. Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett reports from the White House.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Is Saudi Arabia Trying to Protect Whoever Ordered Khashoggi Murder? l Inside Story


Turkey's president is accusing Saudi Arabia of stalling the investigation into the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Saudi leaders are playing a game to protect someone. He's ramping up the pressure to know who; and demanding information about where the journalist's body is.

Saudi Arabia's Chief prosecutor met his Turkish counterpart for a second time in Istanbul - after what the Turks call an unsatisfactory first meeting on Monday. Sources say the Saudis have finally handed over the testimonies of 18 suspects who are being held in the Kingdom. Where the suspects should be tried is being argued over. Turkey is calling for their extradition; the Saudis insist they'll be tried at home.

As the US considers its options, and the European Union faces further calls to ban arms sales - will the Saudis budge?

Presenter: Imran Khan | Guests: Scott Lucas - Professor of International Politics, University of Birmingham and specialist in US relations with the Middle East; Andrew Finkel - Co-founder of P24 initiative to promote independent journalism; Joel Rubin - President, Washington Strategy Group


Pittsburgh Rabbi Has a Powerful Message for Our Leaders


Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers calls on elected leaders and officials to stop using hateful words and rhetoric to divide the country as his community grieves the loss of 11 members.

Jon Meacham: President Donald Trump Has No Interest In ‘Moral Leadership’ | The Last Word | MSNBC


Presidential historian Jon Meacham explains to Lawrence why Donald Trump's response to Pittsburgh shows the president is "bound up in narcissism, nationalism and nastiness."

Reagan's Daughter: Trump Has Never Shown Compassion


Patti Davis, the daughter of former President Ronald Reagan, discusses President Trump's response to recent tragedies.

Trump Plans on Ending Birthright Citizenship


In an interview for "Axios on HBO," President Trump said he plans to sign an executive order that would do away with a right to citizenship for babies of non-citizens and unauthorized immigrants born in the US.

Monday, October 29, 2018

Glenn Greenwald on Bolsonaro: Brazil Has Elected “Most Extremist Leader in the Democratic World”


Far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro has been elected Brazil’s next president, marking the most radical political shift in the country since military rule ended more than 30 years ago. Bolsonaro, a former Army officer, openly supports torture and dictatorships, has a history of making racist, misogynistic and homophobic comments, and has threatened to destroy, imprison or banish his political opponents. He defeated Fernando Haddad of the leftist Workers’ Party with 55 percent of the vote. His ascendance to power is leading many to fear the future of democracy in Brazil is in danger. We speak with Glenn Greenwald, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and one of the founding editors of The Intercept, in Rio de Janeiro. He says that Bolsonaro is “by far the most extremist leader now elected anywhere in the democratic world.”

How Worrying Is the Rise of US Right-wing Extremism? l Inside Story


The number of reported hate crimes in the United States rose in 2016, the year Donald Trump was elected president, the second consecutive year the figures increased.

African-Americans, Jews and Muslims were all targeted. Last week a Florida man was arrested after mail bombs were sent to some of Trump’s high-profile critics; and on Saturday 11 people were killed in a synagogue in Pittsburgh.

So, who’s to blame? And does President Trump’s rhetoric fuel the hate?

Presenter: Imran Khan | Guests Gregg Roman, former director of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh; Glenn Carle, former deputy National Intelligence Officer for transnational threats at the CIA; Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc


Sunday, October 28, 2018

Can Saudi, Turkey Work Together to Shed Light on Khashoggi Murder? l Inside Story


It's been more than three weeks since journalist Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, never to be seen again. And with each passing day, brings a new element to a crime that's shocked the world.

Turkey wants Saudi Arabia to extradite the 18 men who've been suspected in his killing. But Saudi Arabia insists they will face justice in the Kingdom. This issue will likely top the agenda as Saudi Arabia's top prosecutor arrives in Turkey.

The Initial Turkish inquiry has concluded that the killing was premeditated, a fact, Saudi officials have taken some time to acknowledge. Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is urging Saudi Arabia to disclose where Khashoggi's remains are and explain who gave the order to kill him. So, will the two countries co-operate?

Presenter: Imran Khan | Guests: Adam Coogle - Middle East Researcher at Human Rights Watch; Leon Fresco - Former U.S. Department of Justice official; Rodney Dixon – Co-Author of a UN report back in January that documented detentions in Saudi Arabia


Günter Gaus im Gespräch mit Franz Josef Strauß (1964)


Der Untergang des Osmanischen Reiches


Mit den von den Mächten eingeforderten Reformen gingen zunehmend wirtschaftliche Probleme einher. In den „Kapitulationen“ genannten Handelsverträgen wurde der Markt im Osmanischen Reich für die Europäer geöffnet, und die Einfuhrzölle lagen unter den Ausfuhrzöllen. Durch die mangelnde Wettbewerbsfähigkeit des osmanischen Handwerks wurde das Osmanische Reich zum Importeur von europäischen Waren und der Aufbau einer eigenen Industrie unterbunden. Unterdessen fanden die Unruhen auf dem Balkan kein Ende. Nach einem Krieg gegen Serbien 1876 wurde in Istanbul eine internationale Konferenz einberufen, auf der die Zukunft des Balkan diskutiert wurde. Um seine Reformbereitschaft zu demonstrieren, kündigte der durch einen Staatsstreich an die Macht gekommene Abdülhamid II. eine liberale Verfassung an, die ein parlamentarisches System eingeführt hätte. Als Ergebnis der Konferenz fassten die Mächte eine Autonomie sowohl für zwei Provinzen auf bulgarischem Gebiet als auch für Bosnien und Herzegowina ins Auge. Als die „Hohe Pforte“ dies ablehnte, erklärte Russland den Krieg, besetzte den gesamten europäischen Teil der Türkei und rückte auf Istanbul vor. Nach der Entscheidungsschlacht am Schipkapass im Januar 1878 war der Sieg der russischen Truppen nicht mehr zu verhindern. Ende Januar 1878 bat das Osmanische Reich um den Abschluss eines Friedensvertrages.

Hannah Arendt im Gespräch mit Günter Gaus


Galloway Blasts Tony Blair for Taking Saudi Money


Anya Parampil examines criticism of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair for his refusal to cut ties with Saudi Arabia in the face of Washington Post Contributor Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. Blair has been paid nearly $12 million by the Saudi Kingdom for “consulting” services since he left office. Former Member of U.K. Parliament and presenter in the documentary The Killing$ of Tony Blair, George Galloway, joins In Question to discuss Blair’s legacy.

Erdogan Demands Answers as Macron Urges Sanctions | Al Jazeera English


Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor is due to arrive in Istanbul later on Sunday, to discuss the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Turkish prosecutors want the extradition of 18 suspects, but Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has rejected that call. It all comes at a time of mounting European pressure on Saudi Arabia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she and French President Emmanuel Macron are considering a common European Union position on selling arms to Saudi Arabia, following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But the Saudi foreign minister has dismissed what he described as "hysteria in the media" over the killing - and rejected calls to extradite the suspects. Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher reports from Istanbul.

How Should President Trump Respond to Khashoggi's Murder? | NYT Opinion


For the United States, doing nothing about the premeditated killing of Jamal Khashoggi is not an option.

Saturday, October 27, 2018

One on One: Saudi Dissident Ghanem Al-Dosari


In this episode of One on One Simon McGregor-Wood spoke to Saudi dissident Ghanem Al-Dosari in London about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and about the attacks he has faced on the streets of London, which he claims were ordered by the Crown Prince.

John Bolton Gets Us One Step Closer to Nuclear War with Russia


Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser John Bolton is blocking talks at the moment that could help extend a nuclear treaty between the US and Russia, and instead he wants the US to just pull out of these nuclear agreements. Not only is this move being derided as hasty and reckless, it would also send a signal to the rest of the world that the US is no longer keeping their word on agreements from the past. This is dangerous, and John Bolton is clearly calling the shots in this administration. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins discusses this.

What Impact Will Khashoggi's Murder Have on the Middle East? l Inside Story


Saudi Arabia is under mounting pressure to explain exactly what happened at its consulate in Istanbul when Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi - a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman - was murdered.

It’s reported that evidence links the killing directly to the Crown Prince's office, a charge Riyadh denies.

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis says that the case threatens the stability of the entire Middle East, and that Washington is ready to take more action against those responsible.

Visa bans are already in place for 21 suspects. Turkey wants the suspects extradited from Saudi Arabia but the Kingdom's Foreign Minister says they will be investigated and prosecuted where they are.

Presenter: Imran Khan | Guests: Majed Al-Ansari, professor of political science at Qatar University; Shafeeq Ghabra, professor of political science at Kuwait University; Hillary Mann-Leverett, former U.S. state department and White House official


A Look at the Kingdom of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman


Saudi Arabia has been making headlines with young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pushing a reformist agenda in the country amid the backdrop of bizarre scandals like the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey as well as the apparent purging of the royal family. Here we take a look at the past, present and potential future of the Kingdom and what’s at stake for the Crown Prince

Sam Harris vs Ayn Rand


Sam Harris gives his opinion on the famous author and her philosophy of Objectivism.

Ayn Rand - How Is This Still A Thing? : Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2014)


Jair Bolsonaro: A Wrecking Ball for Brazil's Media? | The Listening Post | Full


Friday, October 26, 2018

Does Saudi Forensic Doctor Who Allegedly Dismembered Khashoggi Have Ties to University of New Haven?


In Connecticut, activists are calling on the University of New Haven to cut ties to King Fahd Security College in Saudi Arabia. According to news reports, the Saudi forensic doctor who allegedly dismembered Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi’s body served on the editorial board of a publication tied to King Fahd Security College. Dr. Salah Muhammed al-Tubaigy’s name was removed from the publication’s website this week. A forensic scientist from the University of New Haven served on the editorial board with him. We speak to Stanley Heller, executive director of the Middle East Crisis Committee, and Harvard Medical School fellow Yarden Katz.

UN: Khashoggi Was Victim of 'Extrajudicial Execution' l Al Jazeera English


Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of an 'extrajudicial execution'. That's the assessment of Agnes Callamard, the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Summary or Arbitrary Killings. She's pointing the finger directly at the top level of the Saudi leadership. Faisal Fahad, the Saudi representative on the UN committee, said Callamard had overstepped her remit with her comments. "Kindly do not give us any personal opinions in this official meeting," he said. Al Jazeera's James Bays reports from New York.

Chris Cuomo Takes on Sarah Sanders over Bomb Response


CNN's Chris Cuomo calls out Sarah Sanders' response to the suspicious packages that were sent to President Trump's prominent critics.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

BBC HARDtalk | Alan Duncan MP | October 24, 2018


Turkey's President Erdogan says the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was a savage crime meticulously planned in Riyadh. He wants all those responsible to stand trial in Turkey. As the pressure on the house of Saud mounts, will the kingdom's partners in the West take punitive action? HARDtalk's Stephen Sackur speaks to Alan Duncan, Minister of State in the UK Foreign Office. Has the time come for Britain to stop lucrative arms exports to Saudi Arabia?

John Brennan's Response to Trump Draws Laughter


Former CIA Director John Brennan speaks out after a bomb addressed to him was sent to CNN's New York office.

Saudi Arabia: Global Pressure Calling for End to Arms Sales | Al Jazeera English


Rights groups are ramping up pressure against Saudi Arabia’s leadership calling on the international community to close its doors on arms sales after the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and over the war in Yemen.

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban arms sales to Saudi Arabia. It would also cut military co-operation, unless US investigators can provide proof the Saudi government did not order the killing of Khashoggi.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has joined other European countries in calling for a "credible" investigation and has halted a weapons deals with Saudi Arabia.

Al Jazeera’s Raheela Mahomed looks at how international pressure is also growing online.


What's Killing America's White Men? BBC News


Every year, nearly 45,000 people in America kill themselves. That is more than twice the number that die in homicides, and the numbers are increasing. There is one group in particular causing this spike - white, middle aged men. India Rakusen goes to Montana, where suicide rates are double the national average, to find out what drives so many of these men to despair and taking their own lives.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Is the Global Response to Khashoggi Killing Tough Enough? | Inside Story


Outrage, condemnation and diplomatic action escalating worldwide. The killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi continues to provoke reactions.

He was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2nd. Since then, the world has been gripped by accounts of what really happened.

The mystery first unfolded through leaks by Turkish investigators. Reports emerged about a Saudi-hit squad killing and dismembering the journalist - allegedly on the orders of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

After two weeks of Saudi denials, diplomats eventually admitted Khashoggi was 'mistakenly' killed during a brawl in the consulate. And denied any involvement by bin Salman - denials met with widespread scepticism.

Turkey's President has confirmed what he callled a 'savage, pre-meditated murder.' Recep Tayyip Erdogan's calling for an independent, credible investigation with accountability - from top to bottom. And he's calling on the Kingdom to provide answers - especially - who gave the order to murder and where are Khashoggi's remains? But will those answers ever be provided?

Presenter: Sami Zeidan Guests: Giorgio Cafiero - Chief Executive, Gulf State Analytics Sinan Ulgen - Chairman, Centre for Economic & Foreign Policy Studies Mouin Rabbani - Senior Fellow, Institute for Palestine Studies


The Pressure on Saudi Arabia: What Turkey Knows about Khashoggi Murder


Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Pressure on Saudi Arabia: "Forget about Vision 2030, Now It's More Like Vision 1090"


Rula Jebreal: My “Secret Interview” with Jamal Khashoggi Before His Brutal Murder by the Saudis


Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has directly accused Saudi Arabia of the premeditated murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was last seen alive entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in Turkey on October 2. Erdogan said a team of Saudi officials had planned Khashoggi’s murder days in advance, directly contradicting Saudi Arabia’s claim that Khashoggi died after a fight in the consulate. Turkish officials have claimed that audio and video recordings show Saudi officials used a bone saw to dismember Khashoggi’s body, but Erdogan made no mention of the audio and video recordings of the killing. Fallout from Khashoggi’s murder is being felt across the globe. We speak with Rula Jebreal, a journalist, author and foreign policy analyst who conducted one of the last known interviews with Khashoggi. She says calling Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a reformer is “like calling David Duke a civil rights activist.” Her new cover story for Newsweek is titled “Jamal Khashoggi Secret Interview: The Saudi Journalist’s Views of Islam, America and the 'Reformist' Prince Implicated in His Murder.”

Cooperating or Clashing over the Killing of Jamal Khashoggi? | Inside Story


Turkey’s President had promised what he called the 'naked truth'. 24 hours later, Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered his much anticipated speech to MPs in Ankara. He gave more details about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. But the president said many questions remains unanswered – including who ordered his death and where is his body?

Erdogan said the Saudi journalist was the victim of a savage murder, planned days in advance – that contradicts Saudi accounts of an accidental killing. He says he doesn't doubt the credibility of King Salman – but is demanding answers and a full investigation into what happened in Istanbul three weeks ago.

There was no mention of Saudi Crown prince Mohammad bin Salman – who some suspect of ordering the killing of the writer who’d criticized him. Erdogan wants the identities of all involved - everyone from top to bottom held accountable and suspects to go on trial in Turkey. So, what now?

Presenter: Imran Khan | Guests: Galip Dalay - Research Director, Al Sharq Forum and Fellow with Brookings Institution; Steven Rogers - Trump for President Advisory Board; Toby Cadman - Extradition & Human Rights Lawyer


The Khashoggi Killing: Interview with Selim Atalay


Selim Atalay, Journalist and Commentator for 24TV, is talking about The Khashoggi killing.

Sky News Reveals the Remains of Murdered Journalist Khashoggi Have Been Found


Monday, October 22, 2018

Michael Bloomberg Calls for End of Divisiveness | CITIZEN by CNN


Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg closed the CITIZEN by CNN forum with a speech urging Americans to come together and end the divisiveness and called on the to go out an vote in the midterm elections.

#democracynow : Top US News & World Headlines — October 22, 2018


Can Saudi Arabia Get Away with Murder? | Inside Story


Turkey’s President is promising to reveal the ‘naked truth’ about what happened in Istanbul. That will be the first official release of details. Unofficially, Turkish sources have repeatedly leaked gruesome accounts of how the journalist was killed and dismembered three weeks ago.

The journalist was missing for two weeks before Saudi leaders eventually admitted his killing, they say by mistake, in their consulate in Istanbul. Their story has changed since then, what's being described as a 'rogue operation’ is the latest explanation. What isn’t changing is the kingdom’s insistence that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not order the operation to kill.

As the international outcry builds, critics are sceptical that the heir apparent didn’t know anything about it. Will pressure on the Saudis work?

Presenter: Peter Dobbie | Guests: Ali Al-Ahmed - Director, Gulf Affairs Institute and former Saudi political prisoner; Matthew Brodsky - Security Studies Group, Washington DC; Mustafa Akyol, CATO Instiitute's Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity


Jared Kushner on Trump, Mideast Policy | Full Interview


Jared Kushner, senior adviser to President Donald Trump, said in a interview with Van Jones that the Trump administration is approaching Saudi Arabia's explanation for Jamal Khashoggi's death with "our eyes wide open." Jones and Kushner also discussed Mideast policy, prison reform on President Donald Trump at the CITIZEN by CNN event in New York.

Kushner on Khashoggi: In Fact-finding Phase


In an interview with CNN's Van Jones at CITIZEN by CNN, Jared Kushner says the White House is in a fact-finding phase when asked about Saudi Arabia's explanation for journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death.

Sunday, October 21, 2018

US Congress Condemns Saudi Report on Kashoggi Murder | Al Jazeera English


Fewer than 24 hours after calling the Saudi report on the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi "credible", the US president has walked back that statement, saying that there had been "deception" and "lies". US congressional leadership was even more aggressive, calling for sanctions and an end to arms sales to Saudi Arabia. However, President Donald Trump continues to praise Saudi Arabia as an ally and is reluctant to act on the angry calls coming from Congress. Al Jazeera's Mike Hanaa reports from Washington, DC.

Trump Not Satisfied, But What's Next? l Inside Story


US president Donald Trump says there's clearly “deception and lies" about how Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed. And he says he's not satisfied, until he finds answers.

He's cast doubt on Saudi Arabia's explanations, which have changed several times since Khashoggi disappeared.

Trump has been criticised for defending the Kingdom and refusing to give up lucrative arms sales to Riyadh worth billions of dollars. Do his arguments about Saudi arms deals convince anyone? And will he put pressure on Riyadh?

Presenter: Imran Khan | Guests: Mohammed Cherkaoui, professor of conflict resolution at George Mason University; Andrew Smith, Spokesman for Campaign Against Arms Trade; Andrew Finkel, a Co-founder of P24 and a Foreign Correspondent in Turkey for over two decades.


Corker: I Think Saudis Killed Jamal Khashoggi


Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) says that he believes that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman orchestrated the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but wants to see the results of the investigation.