The episode recounts the story of Adnan Khashoggi, a billionaire arms dealer and Jamal Khashoggi’s cousin, whose flamboyant lifestyle and sybaritic tastes made him the most conspicuous public face of Saudi Arabia. Yet he played a crucial role in nurturing the U.S.-Saudi alliance, serving as middleman for billions of dollars in weapons deals between U.S. defense contractors and the kingdom. As a special bonus, the episode includes insights from one of his “pleasure wives” — recruited while she was a 20-year-old model — as well as an account of how Khashoggi’s later financial troubles lead to Donald Trump getting his first introduction to Saudi luxury and largesse.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.