The Yemen Proxy War Presentation
Course Themes
Show how ideologies can be used as tools for acquiring power as well as being the goal or end of a political movement once in power
How has the rise of the USA as a superpower been perceived by the rest of the world over time?
In 2012, when President Ali Abdullah Saleh resigned and Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi became president of Yemen, President Hadi faced many troubles with the already fragile (both politically and economically) country of Yemen. This insecurity allowed Yemen’s rebel group the Houthis, which are also militarily backed by Iran, to take over the capital Sana’a and rush President Hadi out of office. Saudi Arabia, seeing this rise of power in the Houthis and knowing their relationship with Iran, which Saudi Arabia is in a cold war with, came into Yemen, with the support of other Sunni Arab states and the United Kingdom, United States, and France, to stop Iranian (Shiite) influence in Yemen and to restore the presidency of President Hadi. In 2015, the war in Yemen was declared.
This proxy war, still going on to the present-day (2021) has had many battles (Aden), effects on the economy (Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities), and pushed Yemen into becoming the world’s largest humanitarian crisis (Bombings, blockades). Outside involvement, including the US’s arms deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which now under the Biden administration is coming to a stop as he calls for ceasefire in the Yemen War, and the United Arab Emirates-backed south Separatists in Yemen also add to the war and creates tension as the two foreign countries show bias for Saudi Arabia. The Yemen War, now with the United States backing out and dealing with COVID-19 in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, is hard to know what events will happen next.
Our first-course theme relates to the conflict Yemen is currently experiencing. The differing ideologies between Iran who are a Shiite majority and Saudi Arabia who are Sunni majority lead to a fight for political influence and power. Our second-course theme relates to the involvement of the United States in the war and their impact, as their arms deals reveal an ally to Saudi Arabia and worse, they are profiting off of the war crimes Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates do in Yemen. Since the United States is seen as a superpower, its involvement in the Yemen War is a huge impact, and the actions the United States makes in other foreign affairs, like the Yemen War, will be remembered.
The Yemen humanitarian crisis is the largest in the world. More than 80 percent of the population relies on aid including 12 million children. In addition, children and adults don’t have access to food and clean water or proper healthcare, cities have been destroyed, and schools are closed. To make matters worse, children are being killed and being recruited to help fight in the war.
Discussion Questions
Is the enemy of my enemy my friend? Or should countries not work together just for the sake of a common enemy?
Should economic relationships between foreign nations reflect their political relationships? How far?
Countries should work together when possible, but in the long run it shouldn't be JUST for beating a common foe. We hated the Soviets from day one, however, once Germany attacked Russia, they became our friends to beat the Nazis. We then split soon after the war, which meant that we really didn't like each other. Economic relationships should reflect their government relationship because when you give aid to another nation, they're basically your friend. However, sometimes you don't always have to follow your friends.
ReplyDeleteEconomic relationships between foreign nations must reflect their political relationships, because it is politically unwise to give substantial aid to nations you are not allied with and to nations that may use that aid against you, and refusing to cooperate with an allied nation on an international economic policy could lose you that ally. Of course, a line must be drawn somewhere when the aid becomes unreasonable or exploitative.
ReplyDeleteI believe economic relationship between foreign nations must reflect their political relationships. It seems absurd for a country to offer aid to another country or provide resources but for them to hate each each other. It's also absurd if a country is receiving aid from another country but for them to condemn that country who is helping them. After, you are depending on another country for development. It should inevitable for the country in help to follow the other country's direction or order. However, if only in cooperation, then there's a clearer line of how they can be impacted or moved.
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