International criticism of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has largely faded in recent months. The assassination, which occurred inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, sparked global outrage and led to widespread condemnation. Many countries and human rights organizations called for accountability, and several nations imposed sanctions on Saudi officials.
However, as global attention has shifted to other geopolitical issues, such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the focus on Saudi Arabia’s actions has waned. While the incident remains a sensitive topic, the level of sustained international scrutiny has decreased. Some analysts suggest that the fading attention is due to the prioritization of other crises, rather than a lack of concern over human rights violations.
Despite the reduced media and diplomatic focus, the Khashoggi case continues to symbolize the challenges of press freedom and regional security. The Saudi government has faced pressure to address past actions, but its current foreign policy priorities have largely moved away from the immediate aftermath of the killing.