Can anyone name an occasion, where an oppressive regime, has encouraged (ie bought) sport and the sport has led to an opening up and the improvement of human rights?
Because I can name several occasions when human rights have subsequently got much much worse.
Can a man go from puritanically clamping down on bottle tops and flasks to excusing the bonesawing of Khashoggi? In just a few months? It's quite a leap.