Saudi Arabia must be held accountable

The editorial board

There have been moments in history when great leaders have found it necessary to overlook heinous crimes in order to preserve strategic alliances and further greater interests. The alleged killing of Jamal Khashoggi is not one of those moments.
The prominent Saudi commentator has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul more than two weeks ago. Details leaked by Turkish officials suggest that he was killed shortly afterwards in the most blood-curdling manner. If Turkish accounts prove accurate — and officials have claimed to have audio, video and other evidence to back them up — there can be no holding of noses. For all Saudi Arabia’s geo-strategic clout, the consequences must be serious.