Chronicle of a Death Foretold: The Jamal Khashoggi Affair and Turkish-Saudi Relations

This report analyses the Jamal Khashoggi affair in light of Turkish-Saudi relations and the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East.

This report analyses the Jamal Khashoggi affair in light of Turkish-Saudi relations and the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East. First, the development of a new Saudi state-identity based on a counter-revolutionary orientation is discussed with a view of illuminating the Saudi approach vis-à-vis regional geopolitical developments following the so-called Arab Spring. The second theme explores the targeting of Jamal Khashoggi in light of the Saudi approach to dissent and critique as it relates to Riyadh’s newly formed state-identity and Khashoggi’s own political orientation. The third theme analyses the historical trajectory of Turkish-Saudi relations and Turkey’s growing political and cultural capital with a view of understanding why Khashoggi was targeted in Turkey specifically. Finally, international reactions engendered by the targeting of Khashoggi and implications for the regional order are evaluated as to their potential future trajectories.

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Tarek Cherkaoui
Tarek Cherkaoui
Dr. Tarek Cherkaoui is Manager at TRT World Research Centre. Dr. Cherkaoui has an extensive experience in strategic management, research, and consultancy across international media, tertiary education, and the creative industries throughout the U.K., Qatar, Malaysia, and New Zealand. He is an expert in international media and strategic communications, and holds a Ph.D. in Media and Communication Studies from the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, for which he was awarded the Dean's Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Studies. His research interests include international broadcasting, media discourse, international news framing, information warfare, public diplomacy, soft power, nation branding, image management, crisis communication, and political and military affairs – specifically within the MENA region. He has put forward several publications, including The News Media at War: The Clash of Western and Arab Networks in the Middle East (2017) (London: I.B. Tauris). As an academic, strategic communications researcher, and a senior manager within organizations, Dr. Cherkaoui displays excellent interpersonal and communication skills with fluency in four languages – English, French, Arabic, and German.

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