Basically we're saying his security apparatus is 100% trustworthy, no proof needed; this makes me moderately uncomfortable. Considering their relations with Arabia, I wouldn't put past Erdogan having Kashoggi killed by Turkish forces, the tape faked, and then Sa'udiyya accused. For Erdogan, Islamist himself, Arabia is the funder of all the groups he hates and fears.

Then again, that sounds like defending Sa'udiyya. It's not, but in a "you're either with us or our dire enemy" sort of world, "not a defense" is far from being an attack and so it's wrongly assumed to entail support.

I don't see any need to accuse or defend either side since I haven't heard anybody say anything I think of as a fact. Accusation, sure. Claim, absolutely. But all the "facts" have, so far at least, one source, and I don't trust the source--at least not yet.

How to balance Russia and Iran, Iran and Sa'udiyya, Kurds and Syria ... Tough calculations for Erdogan.