Before Khashoggi’s disappearance, U.S. intelligence intercepted communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture him, according to a person familiar with the information. The Saudis wanted to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia and lay hands on him there, this person said. It was not clear whether the Saudis intended to arrest and interrogate Khashoggi or to kill him, or if the United States warned Khashoggi that he was a target, this person said.

In other words, US intelligence seems to have picked up discussions of some version of this alleged plot. This is the first mention of this possibility – that the US picked up some advance word. My understanding is the Khashoggi had permanent resident status in the US at the time of his disappearance. So there may have been some legal obligation to warn him of his peril. The bottom line is that though the clues or evidence is now fragmentary, it now seems possible that the US may have made itself complicit in this drama by having advance knowledge and either failing to or refusing to act.

The final, most important part of the puzzle is the relationship between the head of the current Saudi government and the Trump family. MBS has developed close ties to President Trump, even closer ties to Jared Kushner and financial ties with both. The Saudis even play a significant role in one part of the Russia investigation. They were one of the government’s most thrilled with Trump’s election. The relationship between the Crown Prince and the Trumps is deep and has geopolitical and personal financial dimensions.

These are all extraordinarily corrupt ties. They bring together young and headstrong princelings like MBS and Jared Kushner who are capable of all manner or willful and dangerous actions. Thus far we have only very limited information. But there’ a distinct possibility that Trump administration dirtied its hand in this affair. This bears very close scrutiny.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/is-the-khashoggi-mystery-now-a-us-scandal