The world can agree with U.S. President Donald Trump: this attempt to cover-up "was the worst in the history of cover-ups" and even more logical, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) must have handed down Jamal Khashoggi's death sentence as "the prince runs things" in Riyadh.
The Turkish government's handling of the scandal, and masterful leaking of the details of the Khashoggi disappearance and death, has rocked the world and ruffled American and Saudi feathers.
From a body double wearing the deceased's clothes to an abandoned consulate vehicle in a random parking lot, to sawing Khashoggi into transportable pieces, and the publication of the identities of the 15-man squad sent to kill Khashoggi, the last 20 odd days have been straight out of a Hollywood movie.
The director of the CIA, Gina Haspel, touching down in Ankara prior to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's revelations on the murder can mean one of two things: either the U.S. is acting in defense of their Middle Eastern ally and attempting to stick a pacifier in President Erdoğan's mouth, or the Americans and Saudis really do believe "rogue" killers carried out the murder unbeknownst to the world.
The latter is least probable in light of the American alliance, or rather common interests, with the kingdom as well as mass media coverage of Khashoggi's death. Even Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president, stated that Saudi Arabia would not carry out such a heinous murder without American protection. Or, the Saudis did not contemplate that the 15-man squad could not handle the execution of one journalist.
The global cry for accountability can be considered tokenistic. Time will tell how many nations will suspend their arms trade with the Saudis, or have any impact on their foreign relations with the kingdom.
Economically, international investors have expressed their reluctance in taking part in MBS's libertarian move to open the kingdom to the world – known as the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The spontaneous appearance of MBS at the "Davos in the Desert" clearly illustrates damage control. Again, the next week will show if damage is really suffered on the financial front.
President Erdoğan took center stage in his usual role as the herald of truth and seeker of justice as he declared that the "brutal murder" of Khashoggi was "planned" to be carried out at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.
The photo of Khashoggi's son shaking hands with MBS was distasteful to say the least. The photo opportunity adds to the disastrous handling of Khashoggi's murder that began with the kingdom's denial, then acceptance of a "fist fight" ending with death, and finally its vow to punish those responsible.
Rumors suggest that the House of Saud is reconsidering the de facto rule of MBS. Other rumors suggest that Khashoggi was a CIA asset involved in the CIA plan to remove MBS. It could be said that the Khashoggi saga has removed the spotlight from Saudi Arabia's brutal war in Yemen. Perhaps the opposite is also true. Is the global outcry and the threats of sanctions enough to pressure Arabia to recalibrate its policy in Yemen?
The litany of news on the "reformist" MBS as the new face of the Middle East in acknowledgement of the PIF or the granting of the right to drive for women made his dictatorship more palatable to the layman as well as politician. The Khashoggi murder can be said to have undone this all.
The real question is: What will Turkey gain?
The Turks have maintained their criticism of the U.S. and Arabian support for the PKK-linked terrorist organizations, the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Democratic Union Party (PYD), in Syria which (for decades) has posed the most significant threat to Turkish sovereignty. It must be admitted that the Turks are confident following their military success in the bordering Syrian towns of Idlib and Manbij.
The injection of billions of dollars to the Turkish economy appears to be the logical aim of the leaking of the Khashoggi murder in order to save the rock-bottom Turkish lira. However, Erdoğan stated that the nation will not be silenced with a trade deal and the Turks plan to bring the perpetrators to justice. Could it be that the Turks are aiming to depose MBS? Removing the crown prince may mean the opportunity to make gains in Syria against the YPG/PKK as well as Daesh.
Nonetheless, Erdoğan's government reiterated once more that they are a force to be reckoned with. To the allegation that a Turkish conspirator disposed of the body, Erdoğan firmly demands Riyadh to provide evidence. Maybe this is all there is to it – putting the Americans and Saudis in their place.
* Bachelor of Laws (Honors) and International Relations from La Trobe University, she is currently a practicing commercial litigation lawyer in Australia
