Saudi Relations
https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/21/middleeast/jamal-khashoggi-international-pressure-builds-intl/index.html
International Relations is a topic that lends itself well to an analysis using theories from networks. On the forefront of global politics is the recent death of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Turkey. Khashoggi was a Saudi journalist known for criticizing the Saudi government, especially Prince Mohammad bin Salman and King Salman. On October 2, he entered the Saudi Consulate to pick up a certificate to marry his Turkish fiancée, but was attacked and killed by a group of 15 men sent by the Saudi government. This event has called into question the relationship that Western Nations have continued to foster with Saudi Arabia.
Specifically within a networks context, we have three major groups of powers pushing their own agendas and causing instability according the Structural Balance Property. One relationship that is for certain negative is between the UK, France, Germany group and Saudi Arabia. The European group released a statement stating, “Nothing can justify this killing”. They are weary of Saudi Arabia claiming that a “rogue” group within its government caused this. They believe that this is a massive cover-up for a political push to limit free speech. The relationship between the US and European nations is a positive relationship rooted in economic trade, shared values and military defense. For over 60 years, the US has had strong relationships with the EU. The third relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia is also currently a positive one based on US agenda in the middle east, oil trade, and Saudi Arabia’s large presence in international investments. With the recent killing we would expect the US to follow its European Allies and condemn the Saudi government, however, President Trump has supported the Crown Prince in every statement he has put out. Saudi Arabia has also warned the US that any sanctions they create will cause devastating effects. This causes an unstable structure in the triangle, which puts stress on the US-Saudi relations and US-European relations, which are the edges that are most fragile. Since the US and Europe have been generally closer throughout history, I wouldn’t be surprised if after more details come out about the Saudi government’s involvement in this murder, the US joins forces with Europe by imposing sanctions or changing the structure of its relationship with Saudi Arabia. This could cause more global instability because Saudi Arabia controls oil prices and could cause havoc throughout global markets. However, this would be a more stable relationship according to theory than what currently exists.