Five years have passed since the brutal murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi embassy in Istanbul, allegedly executed by a 15-member Saudi team under orders of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).

In the aftermath, the Saudi government allegedly tried to bury the truth, but global intelligence communities, including the U.S., pointed fingers directly at MBS, suggesting he had authorized the "capture or kill" mission against the dissident Saudi journalist.

The immediate global response was one of outrage. The United Nations, through its Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard, called for an international investigation into the murder. But still, to this day, there has not been any real action against MBS and his associates. Trials conducted within Saudi Arabia were labeled superficial and failed to meet international standards.

What's more, in the years since the murder, U.S.-Saudi relations have taken an unexpected turn. Despite initial strong criticisms, global powers, especially the U.S., have warmed up to Saudi Arabia. The Biden administration has significantly expanded arms sales, maintaining Saudi Arabia's position as the top global purchaser of U.S. weaponry.

Ongoing U.S.-Saudi negotiations, encompassing defense pacts and potential nuclear developments, raise concerns over Washington's priorities.

Saudi Arabia has continued its suppression of dissent. Media freedom is virtually non-existent, with even peaceful online expressions leading to severe repercussions. Cases like that of Manal al-Gafiri, sentenced to 18 years in prison for a tweet in support of prisoners of conscience.

While U.S. President Biden did address the Khashoggi murder during his July 2022 visit to Jeddah, subsequent actions, including severe sentences handed to the kingdom's critics, highlight a gap between Saudi assurances and actions.

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