US to Soon Release Report on Saudi Kashoggi Assassination

Biden to Speak with Saudi King One Month After Inauguration

Jamal Khashoggi
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The U.S. intelligence authorities are set to soon release a report related to the assassination of Saudi Arabian dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. At the same time, U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak with the Saudi King just one month after his inauguration. Given President Biden's prior indication of restructuring Middle East strategy including adjusting relations with Saudi Arabia, there is speculation that the release of the Saudi report and the summit call could mark a turning point in bilateral relations.

According to major foreign media on the 24th (local time), U.S. authorities are expected to declassify and release a report on the Khashoggi assassination case the following day. The report, led by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), is known to include content suggesting a high likelihood that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's assassination.

Previously, in October 2018, Khashoggi disappeared shortly after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, and subsequently, U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that the Saudi government was responsible for his assassination. The Saudi government has consistently denied these assassination allegations.

Foreign media reported that the U.S. report release is part of President Biden's efforts to adjust relations with Saudi Arabia and reorganize Middle East strategy. During the previous Donald Trump administration, the U.S. government refrained from official criticism of the Khashoggi assassination while strengthening cooperation with Saudi Arabia to counter Iran. However, President Biden, since his presidential campaign last year, has pledged to 'rebalance' the Middle East situation through recalibrating relations with Saudi Arabia and has criticized the Saudi government on human rights issues surrounding the Khashoggi assassination.

Additionally, on the 4th, the U.S. announced it would halt military support to Saudi Arabia regarding the Yemen civil war, and on the 16th, the U.S. State Department removed the Houthi rebels, who are engaged in combat with Saudi forces in Yemen, from the terrorist organization list.

Meanwhile, the White House stated that President Biden will soon have a summit call with Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi King, although the schedule has not yet been finalized. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki emphasized, "President Biden's critical view of Saudi Arabia's human rights record has not changed," but added, "There is room for cooperation to address threats facing Saudi Arabia."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.