Pompeo grinning with Mohammed Bin Salman
The pictures of Pompeo grinning, smiling, and laughing with the crown prince—as if a journalist wasn't just murdered—are remarkable. Not only is it bad policy; it's downright embarrassing. It makes Pompeo look like an unserious pushover. It's really indefensible on any grounds pic.twitter.com/qwgs9LK9VH
— Shadi Hamid (@shadihamid) October 16, 2018
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came to Saudi Arabia to highlight U.S. concern over the fate of Jamal Khashoggi, the missing journalist whose name Pompeo did not utter in public after arriving in the kingdom.
Pompeo’s talks with three officials, including the king and crown prince, were “direct and frank” about the need to investigate what happened to Khashoggi, said State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.
But the cameras that recorded the officials’ small talk ahead of the private meetings captured smiles and pleasantries, giving no hint that relations between the two countries are in crisis over Khashoggi’s disappearance.
Well you wouldn’t want Pompeo to make the nice prince mad would you.
During Pompeo’s first trip as secretary of state in April, the crown prince kept him waiting several hours for an appointment because he was presiding over the groundbreaking of an entertainment center. On Tuesday, Pompeo returned to his hotel for an hour as his aides awaited a call that Mohammed was ready to see him.
Pompeo smiled as he sat down in a chair next to Mohammed, who asked: “How was your trip? I hope you don’t have jet lag.”
Pompeo predicted he would feel the time-zone difference in a little while and expressed his gratitude for the meeting. “Thank you for hosting me,” he said.
Wow! So direct, so frank. I bet MBS was all of a tremble.
Pompeo flew to Riyadh to express U.S. concern over Khashoggi's disappearance and apparent murder. But cameras captured lots of smiles and pleasantries among Pompeo and Saudi leaders, @cmorellowp reports https://t.co/rX6UT8zuqy
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) October 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/observeconflict/status/1052167040188977154
Pompeo met with MBS in Saudi Arabia today.
This photo op was a choice.
A choice that sends a signal to the world:
“Assassinate perceived dissidents with impunity. This administration will smile by your side.” pic.twitter.com/sE8313t4MO
— Leah McElrath (@leahmcelrath) October 16, 2018
If the USA was even slightly trying to project concern and displeasure, there would be no photo op. Pompeo and Trump would have expressed concern at the state of things on there face and Pompeo would have a serious expression on his face whenever out in public. This is all just dusting a turd with glitter.
Instead of smiling at that terrorist maybe send out Seal Team 6? (I wish, also Seal Team 6 is fucking awful)
Trump may be feeling less concern over the killing of a jcritical ournalist than envy.
https://www.facebook.com/144310995587370/photos/a.271728576178944/2129283823756734/?type=3&theater