It's often been said that nations have no friends or enemies, only interests. That;s why it's hardly surprising that Donald Trump would issue a statement backing the Saudi Arabian government despite evidence that the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was ordered at the highest levels. The president's statement set off a firestorm in Washington as politicians from both parties vied to see who could be the most outraged. In truth, Trump, as president, had very little choice. After bringing up the threat to the region and American interests posed by Iran and Saudi efforts to confront that threat, the president gave a reasoned, nuanced response to those who think the US should throw the book at the Saudis: Representatives of Saudi Arabia say that Jamal Khashoggi was an “enemy of the state” and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, but my decision is in no way based on that – this is an unacceptable and horrible crime. King Salman and Crown Prince...(Read Full Post)