The grizzly death of Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi is putting the U.S. – Saudi relationship – and global oil markets – to the test. Khashoggi’s murderers must be severely punished. The Trump Administration needs to make sure Riyadh understands that political assassinations are unacceptable. However, beyond that, both countries need to find a way to resolve the crisis, and continue their important strategic relationship for the sake of regional stability, opposition to Iranian hegemonic ambitions, and curbing terrorism.
