Ben Freeman explains why and how Saudi Arabia has so much influence in U.S. politics. Even though it’s illegal for foreigners to donate to American political campaigns, he explains that it is perfectly legal for them to hire a lobbying firm in Washington, which can then turn around and immediately donate on their behalf. This type of payoff—which also extends to members of the press and even to some professors—puts Saudi influence on par with Israel’s. Freeman and Scott also discuss the disappearance and probable murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and what that will mean for American relations with Saudi Arabia.

Discussed on the show:

• “Tomgram: Ben Freeman, The Saudi Lobby Juggernaut” (TomDispatch.com)
• Jamal Khashoggi
• “The Washington Post, as It Shames Others, Continues to Pay and Publish Undisclosed Saudi Lobbyists and Other Regime Propagandists” (The Intercept)
• “Will you work for a murderer? That’s the question a host of ex-generals, diplomats and spies may soon face.” (Washington Post)
• H.Con.Res.138

Ben Freeman is director of the Foreign Influence Transparency Initiative with the Center for International Policy. Read his work at Antiwar.com and follow him on Twitter @BenFreemanDC.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Zen Cash; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Check out Scott’s Patreon page.

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