Axar.az represents interview with analyst on the Middle East and Senior Advisor at Gulf State Analytics Dr. Theodore Karasik about Jamal Khashoggi's death.

– Will US impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia due to journalist's mysterious death?

– It is highly likely that the United States will apply sanctions on certain individuals within Saudi Arabia before this incident. Congress wants to enact the Magnitsky Act that will target key individuals as in the investigation continues. The US is seeking to punish Saudi Arabia first by revoking visas and then further possible measures of decoupling in key areas.

– How do world countries punish Saudi Arabia?

– Other countries may follow but given the complexity of the geopolitical situation other states are going to be conducting their own analysis of implementing sanctions and their impact on political and economic grounds but also specifically in terms of arms sales. We are already seen some waffling by European countries on this issue.

– What will US lose? Or what will US win?

The US stands to lose by implementing the sanctions because for Saudi Arabia this will be seen as an affront to their transformation plan. For America the sanctions are meant to satisfy the rancor in Washington DC and specifically in the United States Congress. What happens before and after the November 2018 midterm elections may impact scope and severity of sanctions. The key question is how long sanctions will be put in place.