Okaz

The Washington Post has taken the lead in the directed media campaign regarding the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. What I mean by “directed” is that it involves news that does not search for the truth, but rather seeks to directly intensify the attack on Saudi Arabia in an unprecedented way. This is done through columns, publishing leaked news or using the issue to cast light on other matters which have nothing to do with the main case.

The biggest surprise here is the interference of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has written an opinion column about the case.

As the president of a country where this crime, which has attracted international attention, took place and where officials from both countries are involved in a joint investigation, it was not wise for the Turkish president to write a newspaper column about it at this time.

The article contained many hints, negative statements and hidden accusations against leaders in the Kingdom, and even if the writer attempted to change his tone here and there, his meaning was easily understood.

The Turkish president indirectly attempted to turn public opinion against the Kingdom. Despite the fact that he recently gave a speech in which he said many of the same things, publishing these statements in a newspaper only leads to an increase in tension. He intentionally pointed the finger of blame at Saudi officials who are handling the investigation, including the attorney general.

We do not know which part of the Turkish president’s article to believe. Is it the part where he stressed the importance of his country’s relations with Saudi Arabia or is it his obvious attempt to accuse the Kingdom and instigate international public opinion against it, while the Saudi-Turkish team is still investigating the case?