On Thursday, December 20, Saudi Arabia announced the establishment of three new institutions aimed at improving intelligence and security operations in the country, influenced by the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and global outrage over this killing. After Saudi Arabia finally admitted in October that Khashoggi was murdered by a group of Saudi security agents at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, King Salman ordered a restructuring of the security-intelligence institutions. Saudi officials have claimed without providing any evidence that Khashoggi's murder was carried out by a group of 15 individuals formed by General Ahmed al-Asiri, the deputy head of the intelligence agency, and Saud al-Qahtani, an advisor to the royal family. Reports indicate that King Salman has dismissed both individuals from their positions. According to the Saudi state news agency, the new institutions, titled 'Strategy and Development Administration,' 'Legal Affairs Administration,' and 'Evaluation and Internal Inspection Administration,' are tasked with ensuring the compliance of security institutions with national security policy, international laws, and human rights treaties. These institutions were established by a committee chaired by Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia. He has denied allegations of issuing the order for Khashoggi's murder, which has become the biggest political crisis for the rulers of Riyadh in recent decades. Saudi Arabia's Western allies have called on the country to identify and punish those responsible for this murder. The Saudi prosecutor has requested the death penalty for five individuals accused in this case. Last week, the U.S. Senate, in a decision that contradicts the statements of President Donald Trump, held the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia responsible for this murder. Despite CIA assessments suggesting that Mohammed bin Salman is likely the main orchestrator of the murder, Trump has emphasized that he will support the 33-year-old Crown Prince, who effectively leads the country. In this context, Trump stated that the U.S. will remain a partner of Saudi Arabia even if bin Salman was aware of Khashoggi's murder. Mike Pompeo remarked that reducing relations with Saudi Arabia would be a significant mistake. Republican senators have held Mohammed bin Salman responsible for Khashoggi's murder, and the U.S. Senate has deemed the Crown Prince 'responsible' for Khashoggi's death. Khashoggi was named 'Person of the Year' by Time magazine.
Khashoggi Murder: Saudi Arabia Establishes New Institutions to Improve Intelligence and Security Operations
Saudi Arabia has established new institutions to enhance its intelligence and security operations following the global backlash over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. King Salman ordered these changes after admitting the involvement of Saudi agents in Khashoggi's death, while the U.S. Senate has held Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accountable despite President Trump's support for him. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and its Western allies regarding human rights and accountability.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Saudi Arabia has established three new institutions to improve its intelligence and security operations following the global backlash over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This restructuring comes after the Saudi government admitted involvement of its agents in Khashoggi's death.
- The new institutions aim to ensure compliance with national security policies and human rights treaties.
- The U.S. Senate has held Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for Khashoggi's murder.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Jamal Khashoggi was a prominent journalist critical of the Saudi government, and his murder has sparked global outrage and calls for accountability. The incident has strained Saudi Arabia's relationships with Western allies.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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