Vindman Demands Saudi Transparency, Forgets US History of Cover-Ups
The Hill reports Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman—formerly of the Trump White House—pressed for transparency on Jamal Khashoggi's murder after a Saudi crown prince visit. A noble sentiment, one might think, until you recall the US government's own meticulous historical record of 'lost' intelligence regarding alleged allies. Remember the 'intelligence failures' before 9/11? Or the 'missing' WMDs in Iraq?
The call for 'transparency' here conveniently sidesteps the decades of US strategic alliances with countries that routinely disappear critics, while simultaneously flooding these same regimes with advanced weaponry. One might wonder if transparency is only demanded when it doesn't interrupt the steady flow of oil or destabilize lucrative arms deals. Perhaps Vindman would care to press the US
government for transparency on its own history of state-sponsored assassinations and coups during the Cold War. Or is selective outrage the new transparency?