Agreed.
I can’t help wonder if this “reporter” was a CIA operative in light of the cozy relationship between Bezos/Washington Post and the CIA.
IMO, the KSA holds the cards given the US dependence on their position with the petro-dollar.
If the kingdom dumped the petro-dollar there would be a collective squealing unparalleled in history.
This would explain our keen interest... He may have worked for us.