Sen. Rand Paul Pushes to Halt Saudi Arms Sales Over Journalist’s Disappearance

Paul aims to force a vote on arms sales this week

Jason Ditz 

Posted onOctober 9, 2018CategoriesNewsTagsRand Paul, Saudi Arabia

The latest fallout from the disappearance and presumptive murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi could see the Saudis losing their main source of arms. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) says he intends to force a vote on blocking further US arms sales to the Saudi kingdom.

Sen. Paul announced the plan on a local radio show, saying he hopes to force a vote in the Senate by the end of the week which would force a full halt to US arms shipments if there is “any indication” the Saudis are behind killing Khashoggi.

The fate of the journalist, who has been critical of the Saudi crown prince, has been a subject of speculation over the past week, after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and was never seen again. His body has not been found, and Turkey has been pressing the Saudis on the investigation.

Saudi warcrimes in Yemen have led to previous votes on cutting Saudi arms sales. Though President Trump has previously opposed such cuts, the fate of the high-profile reporter may be shifting administration attitude on the matter.

https://news.antiwar.com/2018/10/09/sen-rand-paul-pushes-to-halt-saudi-arms-sales-over-journalists-disappearance/