No major change in US-Saudi relationship

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for talks over a missing Saudi journalist. The final appearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, at the door of Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, has left the world a mystery, as well as thrown Riyadh into an international public opinion whirlpool.

On Oct 2, Khashoggi went to the Saudi consulate to get the necessary documents so he could marry his Turkish fianc��; he has not been seen since. Turkish officials have accused Riyadh of killing Khashoggi, a fervent critic of the Saudi crown prince, which the latter has vehemently denied. Yet as more evidence emerges, it seems difficult for Riyadh to deny any involvement.

But despite the harsh warnings and threats exchanged between Washington and Riyadh, this incident is unlikely to cause any major adjustments in their relations, although it will certainly have an impact on their relationship in the short term. Because the basis for the strategic alliance between the United States and Saudi Arabia remains solid and mutually beneficial, their interdependent bilateral relationship will remain fundamentally unchanged.