Is it unusual for nations to use terrorists, mercenaries, privateers for missions that they don't want to be directly associated with? IIRC, the Russians and the Americans were doing this in the Middle East in the 20th century, and may still be doing it in Syria now.<p>Seems to me that the real news is that Saudi and America are able to be allies and enemies at the same time, not that they may have employed people who have the big T label.