Saudi Arabia

Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and close adviser, fostered a close relationship with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of a bid to help broker a Middle East peace deal.

The Saudis have denied any knowledge of Jamal Khashoggi's whereabouts. "We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon," Trump said. He dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Riyadh.

The kingdom's state news agency dismissed suspicions of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder as "falsehoods" — and pledged Saudi Arabia's "total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it."

Dubbed "Davos in the Desert," the Future Investment Initiative is set to host dozens of the world's business leaders. But many are pulling out to protest Jamal Khashoggi's suspected murder.

Mohammed bin Salman was initially seen as a leader who could modernize the kingdom. But critics now say he is being repressive at home and reckless abroad.

Turkish officials say a squad of Saudi men killed Jamal Khashoggi shortly after he arrived at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. "We're going to get to the bottom of it," Trump said Wednesday.

Turkish officials told reporters that Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi embassy in Istanbul. Saudi officials have denied the allegations, calling them "baseless."

Saudi Arabia said that Jamal Khashoggi left the premises in Istanbul. But Turkish authorities said the journalist, a vocal commentator on the Gulf kingdom, remained inside the building.