Speaking of Khashoggi

Saudi Arabia has confirmed the death of missing Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in an announcement on Saudi State TV.

In the news bulletin on State TV, it was announced the Saudis have set up a commission that will investigate Khashoggi’s death and will have one month to release a report. The commission will consist of national security officials, the foreign ministry and the interior ministry.

  CNN

So Trump gets a month to avoid making any declaration. Isn't that handy?

The Saudi Press Agency said 18 Saudi nationals have now been detained in the investigation.

A royal order has also been issued to release Major General Ahmed al-Assiri from his duty as the deputy of the intelligence services, according to the announcement.

And detain him or no?

"We’re going to know over the next two or three days, we’re going to know a lot," [Trump] told reporters. "I might know a lot by Monday. I know a lot already."

Heinsisted he was not waiting too long to enact sanctions or punishment on Saudi Arabia.

"I think waiting two days and making sure everything’s right is not so bad," he said. "We’ve done a lot of work on this."

And now, no doubt, he'll claim he has to wait until the Saudis finish their investigation.

For multiple geopolitical and domestic political reasons, the administration has far more to gain from helping engineer a face-saving exit for itself and its ally from its biggest foreign policy crisis in nearly two years in office than by making an example of the Saudis in a belated stand for human rights.

And to keep Trump in the good graces of Kushner's funding source.

Meanwhile, Turkey has its own investigation going.

Speaking to reporters, [Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut] Cavusoglu said the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s office is waiting on lab results after searching the Saudi consulate, residence and several vehicles.

While Cavusolgu emphasized that the findings will be made publicly available, he made it clear they will not do so until all the facts have been gathered.

“We will share the findings with the entire world. There is no question we are going to share this info or that info to some countries, but right now Turkey is managing this case, which the world is recognizing.”