Syracuse NatSec Director Shifts Story on His Work for Saudis

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New DOJ filing reveals Bill Smullen, former chief of staff to Colin Powell, was late in registering with DOJ as a foreign agent

In June, director of Syracuse national security program said he had yet to work for Saudi Arabia—now he says he did so in March

By Brian P. McGlinchey

Bill Smullen

The director of a national security studies program at Syracuse University has given conflicting statements about his work for the Saudi embassy in Washington.

In June, 28Pages.org reported that Bill Smullen had registered with the Department of Justice as an agent of the kingdom for purposes of providing public relations support.

Interviewed last month about the seeming conflict of interest with his duties at Syracuse, where he leads instruction of U.S. national security officials, Smullen repeatedly asserted he Continue reading →

Leaked Emails Suggest Trump Campaign Duplicity on 28 Pages

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Trump publicly supported release of 28 pages on Saudi links to 9/11, but advisors shared inside info on killing of GOP platform plank

Paul Manafort gave news of GOP convention maneuvering to Tom Barrack, who informed UAE’s ambassador

Barrack urged Trump to refrain from making an issue of millions in Saudi money flowing to the Clinton Foundation

By Brian P. McGlinchey

Tom Barrack Speaks at the 2016 GOP Convention

According to leaked emails obtained by Middle East Eye, an unnamed Republican Party figure orchestrated the defeat of a proposed 2016 GOP plank calling for the declassification of 28 pages on Saudi government links to the 9/11 plotters.

That individual then notified Trump presidential campaign manager Paul Manafort of the plank’s defeat and claimed credit for providing instructions to “our political team” to kill it. Continue reading →

Syracuse National Security Program Director Registers as a Saudi Foreign Agent

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Former chief of staff to Secretary of State Powell oversees education program for senior national security officials

Congressman Walter Jones: Syracuse situation “should cause major unease for all Americans”

By Brian P. McGlinchey

Bill Smullen 

The director of a national security program at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs has registered with the U.S. Department of Justice as an agent of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 28Pages.org is first to report.

In his registration statement, retired U.S. Army Colonel Bill Smullen, former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, indicated he has agreed to provide “public relations support” to the Saudi embassy for compensation initially projected at $8,000. Continue reading →

Kim and Connie Schmett’s Saudi Scandal Prompts New Iowa Laws

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State officials banned from working for foreign governments

By Brian P. McGlinchey

Connie Schmett

In the wake of reporting by 28Pages.org and Associated Press that two Iowa officials worked for Saudi Arabia against a law that enabled 9/11 victims to proceed with a civil suit against the kingdom, the state has enacted legislation barring state officials from working for foreign governments.

Connie Schmett and her husband Kim Schmett are gubernatorial appointees to three state panels. Connie sits on the Health Facilities Council and the Cultural Trust Board of Trustees, and Kim chairs the Employment Appeal Board. Continue reading →

In Blow to Kingdom, Judge Rejects Saudi Effort to Escape 9/11 Suit

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Discovery phase will focus on two Saudis in southern California accused of aiding hijackers who attacked Pentagon

By Brian P. McGlinchey

Flight 77 Hijacker Nawaf al-Hazmi

U.S. District Judge George Daniels has rejected Saudi Arabia’s motion to be removed as a defendant in a civil suit in which thousands of 9/11 family members, survivors and insurers allege Saudi government officials and agents supported the al Qaeda plot that killed 2,996 people, injured more than 6,000 others and caused billions of dollars in damage to businesses and property.

From a Saudi public relations perspective, the timing of the decision is particularly inopportune: Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman is in the midst of an aggressive two-week tour of the United States aimed at rehabilitating the kingdom’s image. Continue reading →