old salt wrote:Too bad the MSM is not as impatient with the Mueller investigation as they are with the Khashoggi investigation.
Can't even wait for the forensics ? The US has no jurisdiction in Turkey. He's not a US citizen.
Will Turkey file with the ICC or the UN Security Council ?
Hmmm, pretty sure the MSM has been consistently "impatient" to get whatever they can about the Mueller investigation and related matters. Kinda breathless about it at times. The more sober pundits said that it would be a time-consuming and thorough process, given the complexity of the matter, but I don't recall the MSM saying, 'fine, we'll check back next year'.
Re this matter, seems to me the reporting is that Pompeo told the Saudis that the investigation needed to be swift and 'sharp' else Trump's hand would be forced. We don't know whether that's accurate, but that was our SoS' message, not the MSM. Note however, that Pompeo himself seems to be saying that he and the Saudis didn't talk about any of the actual facts, not even whether they knew whether he was alive or not. Nada.
But of course the MSM is pushing for more info; that's their job.
As to the investigation, he was an "American person" by legal standards as well as the employee of a major American newspaper. So, the Administration would be well within its rights to request (read insist) that the FBI get involved directly in the investigation with Turkey. And Turkey would undoubtedly jump at the opportunity, including turning over to, or reviewing with, the FBI whatever they already have.
What I don't understand is why Trump's line from the outset wasn't: "This is a terrible matter of potentially very serious consequences. We're going to be very careful in our investigation of the matter, given both the seriousness of what may have happened and the importance of our relationship with Saudi Arabia". Say it a dozen times just like that, nothing more. Period. Shut up until you know exactly what happened and have a clear response as to what actions are to be taken. For goodness sake, don't try to slough it off as as " he's a Saudi citizen' or take off the table curtailing arms deals because of pecuniary reasons (rather than strategic) or "he told me very strongly they didn't do it" or any such nonsense.
Seems to me Trump has just dug a really deep hole that will give him and the relationship with the Saudis very little wiggle room once the truth is clear. Badly misplayed. So, the question is why? Incompetence? Impulse control? or something more nefarious having to do with personal $ relationships?
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