Former National Security Council official Eugene Vindman is publicly calling for the release of a confidential 2019 phone call between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The demand centers on a pivotal moment following the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a case that continues to cast a long shadow over U.S.-Saudi relations.
Vindman, a retired Army colonel, revealed the call was one of two that deeply troubled him during his time in the Trump administration. The other involved Ukraine, and ultimately fueled impeachment proceedings. He argues the American public has a right to know the full extent of the conversation, especially given intelligence assessments regarding the Crown Prince’s involvement in Khashoggi’s death.
Standing alongside Hanan Alter Khashoggi, the widow of the slain journalist, Vindman asserted that Trump prioritized shielding a foreign leader over acknowledging the findings of his own intelligence agencies. He believes transparency is essential, not only for the Khashoggi family seeking justice, but for upholding America’s credibility on the world stage.
Vindman’s push for disclosure arrives at a complex juncture. Washington’s current embrace of Mohammed bin Salman exemplifies a recurring dilemma in U.S. foreign policy: balancing strategic and economic interests against concerns for human rights and accountability. This tension has been a constant throughout the decades-long relationship.
Recent developments underscore this dynamic. Despite lingering questions surrounding the 9/11 attacks and Khashoggi’s murder, the Trump administration forged sweeping defense and investment agreements with Saudi Arabia. The kingdom was granted major non-NATO ally status, paving the way for increased arms sales and military cooperation.
Bin Salman pledged nearly $1 trillion in new Saudi investments in U.S. industries, including infrastructure and technology. These commitments were announced alongside a Strategic Defense Agreement, encompassing purchases of advanced weaponry and joint manufacturing ventures designed to bolster the American industrial base.
During a White House visit, reporters pressed both Trump and bin Salman on the sensitive issues of 9/11 and Khashoggi’s killing. While Trump dismissed the questions as attempts to “embarrass” his guest, the Crown Prince offered a carefully worded expression of regret, while maintaining his denial of direct involvement in the journalist’s death.
“It’s been painful for us in Saudi Arabia,” bin Salman stated, adding that the kingdom had taken steps to prevent similar incidents. However, a 2021 intelligence report concluded that the Crown Prince had approved an operation to capture or kill Khashoggi, a finding that continues to fuel controversy.
The unresolved question of Saudi Arabia’s potential role in the September 11th terrorist attacks remains a particularly sensitive issue. While the majority of the hijackers were Saudi nationals, the U.S. government has not established a direct link between the Saudi state and the attacks.
Families of 9/11 victims vehemently condemned bin Salman’s invocation of Osama bin Laden during his White House remarks, arguing it was a deflection tactic. They point to a recent court ruling that allows them to pursue a trial against Saudi Arabia, alleging the kingdom provided logistical support to the hijackers.
A federal judge found evidence of a network of Saudi officials allegedly assisting the hijackers, citing “prior planning” and “constant coordination.” This evidence included a drawing seized from a Saudi operative depicting an airplane with flight-path equations, suggesting potential advance knowledge of the attacks.
Saudi Arabia continues to deny any involvement in the 9/11 attacks, but for the families of the victims, the pursuit of justice remains unwavering. Even as the U.S. deepens its partnership with Riyadh, the specter of 9/11 and the Khashoggi murder serve as stark reminders of the complex and often fraught nature of this critical alliance.
