The killing of the dissident writer Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul has resonated internationally in an unusually powerful way. In the weeks since he disappeared, his case has become a top story and a focal point for outrage.

All of this attention has raised questions about why the killing of one man has set off a louder uproar than other Saudi actions — such as the war in Yemen and the humanitarian crisis it has caused there, or the roundup at home of hundreds of political rivals.

The answer seems to lie partly in the nature of Mr. Khashoggi’s death and the way it came to light, amplified by his prominence. The controversy also reflects a growing discomfort with Saudi Arabia’s increased aggressiveness under the leadership of its brash young crown prince.

Here are some of the reasons the killing has stirred such fascination and outrage, and why it could have political ramifications for Saudi Arabia.