The United States, on Friday, released the long-awaited de-classified intelligence report on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, US-based journalist who was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Turkey. The report implicated Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of the journalist, who often wrote about him in a critical manner. 

The report read, “We assess that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. We base this assessment on the Crown Prince’s control of decision-making in the Kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salman’s protective detail in the operation, and the Crown Prince’s support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi”, reported ABC news. 

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In response to the report released by the US, Saudi’s Foreign Ministry released a statement which said, “The government of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia completely rejects the negative, false and unacceptable assessment in the report pertaining to the kingdom’s leadership, and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions”, reported AFP. 

US President Joe Biden has often reaffirmed that he intends to maintain relations with Saudi’s King Salman, keeping the crown prince out of the loop. However, King Salman is known to consult and involve the crown prince in crucial decisions and has, in a practical sense, handed over most of the power to him already. Moreover, King Salman is 85-years-old, facing multiple health complications. 

Many fear that the recent move of the Biden administration will have substantial economic implications for the US while sharing damaged ties with one of the most influential states in the gulf and the middle east, in addition to missing out on the massive oil capacity possessed by Saudi Arabia, reported BBC. 

However, according to experts, the United States has been working on capacity-building and has now become the leading oil producer while pivoting towards the use of alternative sources of energy. 

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When considered in the field of defense and national security, the Biden administration has already executed a few historic unorthodox moves by rolling back support from the Saudi-led war with Yemen, which was pushed by the crown prince. Moreover, the US has also decided to terminate a few weapons deal with Saudi Arabia, reported CNN. 

Experts feel that with the US missing from the equation of Yemen, the upper hand can be claimed by Iran, a rival of Saudi Arabia who has been playing the opposition in the gulf proxy war.