The Saudi version of the disappearance and murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi seems to change every day or so. The latest is the Saudi government claim that the opposition journalist was killed in a "botched interrogation" at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Or was it a fist-fight? What is laughable is that the Saudi king has placed Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, a prime suspect, in charge of the investigation of Khashoggi's murder!

Though the official story keeps changing, what is unlikely to change is Washington's continued relationship with Saudi Arabia. It is a partnership that is in no way beneficial to Americans or the US national interest.

President Trump has promised "severe punishment" if the Saudi government is found to have been involved in Khashoggi's murder, but he also took off the table any reduction in arms sales to prop up the murderous Saudi war on Yemen. It's all about jobs, said President Trump. So the Saudi killing of thousands in Yemen can go on. Some murders are more important than others, obviously.