How The Disappearance Of A Saudi Journalist Could Impact The Texas Energy Industry

Saudi Arabia has deep ties to Texas, and it might be hard for for the U.S. to take stern action following the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi because it could risk business interests.

By Rhonda FanningOctober 17, 2018 11:41 am, ,

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Saudi Arabia Tuesday amid rising tensions following the disappearance, and alleged murder, of a U.S. resident who was also a Saudi national, in Turkey earlier this month. Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Saudi officials have denied any involvement. President Donald Trump has said he could take action against the world’s largest oil exporter if it was revealed Saudi Arabia was involved.

So what could that look like, and what would the trickle-down effect be on the oil industry in Texas? Michael Webber is acting director of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin and details what this means for Texans.

What you’ll hear in this segment:

– How Texas and Saudi Arabia have a complicated relationship

– What the likelihood is of Saudi Arabia using oil as a geopolitical weapon in the future

– How American expatriates living in Saudi Arabia aren’t necessarily in danger but should exercise caution 

Written by Morgan Kuehler.