Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on Monday in the Middle East, pushing for an end to the war with Iran and a path to a Palestinian state while sidestepping the question of Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.
Murphy arrived in the region on Saturday for meetings in Qatar. His visit comes years after he demanded accountability from Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi’s slaying, a demand that put him at odds with the administration at the time.
The meeting with MBS
During the encounter, Murphy acknowledged having disagreed with MBS over Saudi investments in President Donald Trump’s family businesses. He pushed back on those investments directly.
He also argued for more openness in Saudi society. There must be “space for political dialogue and speech” in Saudi Arabia, he said.
He repeated the point in plainer terms: “There’s got to be space for political dialogue and speech here in Saudi Arabia.”
Murphy also tied the kingdom’s interests to broader regional stability. “There are things that we need to work on together — the end of the war with Iran, a pathway to a Palestinian state,” he said.
His argument was blunt: “We are not going to get a permanent end to this war without the Saudis’ help. We’re not going to get a Palestinian state without the Saudis’ help.”
Khashoggi’s absence
One notable absence from the meeting was any reference to Khashoggi himself. The Washington Post journalist was murdered and dismembered by Saudi operatives at a Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018.
Years ago, Murphy demanded accountability from Saudi Arabia over the slaying. Around the one-year anniversary of Khashoggi’s death, Murphy said it took two weeks for the Saudi government to admit what had happened.
He said the admission came late. “The president and the Secretary of State that talked to you on a regular basis — were lying to the entire world and to the American public for two weeks,” Murphy said.
Other stops in the region
Murphy’s trip included a stop in Qatar, where he met with Ali Al Thawadi, a key diplomat coordinating U.S.-Iran shuttle diplomacy.
He also met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The emir runs the country, and the meeting gave Murphy a chance to thank Qatar for its role in protecting U.S. interests.
Murphy praised Qatar’s large U.S. military base, its hosting of Afghan refugees, and its work mediating hostages. He also told the emir he was “candid” about his concerns over the transfer of a luxury plane.
What Murphy wants from the Saudis
Murphy’s stated goals during the visit break down into two main asks:
- An end to the war with Iran
- A pathway to a Palestinian state
Both require Saudi cooperation.
| Issue | Murphy’s Position |
|---|---|
| End of war with Iran | Needs Saudi help |
| Palestinian state | Needs Saudi help |
The table shows what Murphy said.
The context of the trip
Murphy’s past positions on Saudi Arabia complicate his current role. He has been critical of the kingdom’s human rights record, including the Khashoggi killing and the Trump-family-business investments.
The fact that he met with MBS at all is notable. His willingness to engage while pushing for political space in Saudi Arabia suggests he sees diplomatic engagement as a tool, not a surrender.
The Palestinian state question
The Palestinian state issue is the more complex of the two. Any settlement would require buy-in from multiple parties.
Murphy’s framing — that the Saudis’ help is necessary — puts pressure on the kingdom. It also raises the question of whether Saudi Arabia can deliver on its stated goals.
The war with Iran is simpler in structure but harder in execution. Ending it would require both sides to agree.
Where the paper stands
The paper backs Murphy’s push for peace and a Palestinian state and is against any office gathering more power over the deal-making that should rest with citizens. That means the focus stays on the region itself, on diplomacy between nations, and on keeping lines open rather than cutting them off.
Murphy’s refusal to raise Khashoggi’s name during the meeting is a choice worth watching. The paper has long held that foreign policy should serve American interests first, and a Palestinian state would do that far better than another round of confrontation. Murphy’s blunt insistence that Saudi help is needed on both fronts shows he understands that.
What the reader should watch for is whether the administration lets the deal stay where it belongs — between nations — or tries to take it over. The paper will be watching closely either way.
Source material: “Dem senator who demanded Saudi accountability over Khashoggi meets with crown prince, pushes Palestinian state,” Fox News.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.