ABC’s Raddatz Questions Defense Sec. Austin on US-Saudi Relationship After Khashoggi Murder Report: MBS ‘Was Not Punished’

ABC News’ Martha Raddatz questioned Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin over the United States’ relationship with Saudi Arabia following the release of a U.S. intel report concluding crown prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

“You said last week you had a good call with your counterpart, the defense minister, who happens to be Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince,’ Raddatz said. “How do you deal with a counterpart like that?”

.@martharaddatz presses Defense Sec. Austin on the U.S. not sanctioning the Saudi crown prince despite intel report implicating him in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi: "We're going to lead with our values, but we're going to protect our interests." https://t.co/UmRcsW7jmz pic.twitter.com/iF8FWJkdEb

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) March 7, 2021

Austin pointed to what President Joe Biden said about the U.S. having a different type of relationship with Saudi Arabia, saying, “It doesn’t mean that it won’t be a good relationship. I fully expect that it will be a good relationship, but it will be a bit different.”

“Saudi is, from my perspective, it is a strategic partner in the region. And, certainly, we have security commitments in that area. And it’s necessary that we’re going to have to work together to make sure that we achieve our goals and objectives,” Austin said. “But I think, just because you have a good strategic relationship with an ally or partner, it doesn’t mean that you can’t hold them accountable for various things.”

“He was not sanctioned. He was not punished,” Raddatz noted.

“Everything that we do in the U.S., we’re going to lead with our values, but we’re going to protect our interests,” Austin responded.