(U) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (U) This report is provided by the ODNI. Questions should be directed to the NIO for Near East. █ We assess that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. • █ We base this assessment on the Crown Prince’s control of decisionmaking in the Kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salman’s protective detail in the operation, and the Crown Prince’s support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi. • █ Since 2017, the Crown Prince has had absolute control of the Kingdom’s security