“We aim to restore Congress as the constitutionally mandated branch of government that may declare war and retain oversight over it.” Those were the words of a letter co-written by Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Mark Pocan (D-WI), two sponsors of House Concurrent Resolution 81.
The bipartisan resolution directs the president to end all US military participation in the Saudi-led invasion of Yemen, pointing out that Congress never once authorized such an operation and has sole authority to make such a determination.
Saudi Arabia invaded Yemen in 2015, vowing to remove the Shi’ite Houthi movement from the capital city, and to reinstall former President Hadi, whose term technically expired in 2014, but who they maintain is still in power to this day.
The war has been slow going, and the amount of war crimes have been calamitous. This has raised growing concerns that US participation in it is going to fuel a backlash against America.
Lawmakers in both parties are deeply critical of Presidents Obama and Trump for their unilateral moves to ensure US involvement in the war, noting that there was no legal basis for US participation in a fight against the Houthis, and Congress never authorized such measures.
The bill does not intend to end all US military involvement in Yemen, however, and makes no mention of US military options against Yemen’s al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) or the local ISIS affiliate. It simply proscribes the end of operations in support of the sectarian war and the Saudi naval blockade.
Even such a limited bill is likely to face considerable resistance both from the president and from Congressional hawks, neither of whom favor the idea of Congress having to specifically authorize all of America’s myriad wars. Officials have in the past tried to justify the Yemen War as in some way being done to spite Iran, even though Iran’s involvement in Yemen is virtually non-existent, and the Shi’ite Houthi movement in Yemen is a completely different type of Shi’ites than the ones in Iran.
Recent votes to try to dial back massive US arms sales to the Saudis have failed, but have shown growing resistance to supporting the Saudi conflict. Trying to stop the US involvement in the war outright is an even bigger step, though again it remains to be seen if it can muster enough support.
It’s time for us to muster that support to pass HR81.
What a pipe dream. Unfortunately.
Congress may show some courage in face of the neocon Return if the Living Dead, but it is doubtfull. Any curtailment of arms sales is a no-no to Trump, and even a slowdown in any war us a no-no to neocons. Getting out if a war is possible INLY if we open two new wars. Our money will keep on making wealth to select few.
Butbit may be a bit behid a curve. Saudi Arabia is looking for ways to end conflict, and do is Sana’a. South Yemen will seceede — of that one can be sure. What remains is a face saving mode for Saudi war on Zaidi Yemen to end.
One of the candidates for allowing the transition of Sana’a from war to peace is Egypt in coordination with Saudi Arabia. One of the worst neocon mistakes was choreography of Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia. It looked like a grand opportunity for their favorite, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Najaf, to stage a grand move — shift all the blame for supporting terrorism to Qatar, and bring all the power of Gulf states and Egypt to bear down on the emirate. Stiff cinditions, amounting to full control of Qatar were imposed. In addition to absolving Saudi Arabia from supporting terror groups — the goal was to get control of the large gas fields — that Qatar shares with Iran. The benefits would be manifold for Saudi Arabia and liss for Iran great. And the young Emir has recently lost his father, the founder if modern Qatar, and the thorn in Saudi side. With US backing, old emur Al-Thani was forced to abdicate because of disagreement over Morsi’s government in Egypt. For all Gulf royals, he represented a rule by elected parliament snd elected president. Qatar and Turkey urged the rest of Gulf to consider the benefits of constitutional monarchies, with Parliament , instead of absolute monarchies. That was rejected, Saudi funded Salafis in Egypt threatened civil war, and military prevented it by stepping in for the second time, But this time, military had to dismantle MB party, in order to calm Salafis. But the election of the President from the military ranks, gave Egypt its ability to conduct more independent policy. Saudi Arabia funded Egypt, but did not get control. And in hastily contrived Qatar crisis, Egypt emerged as a winner.
By being on Saudi side, it had acquired an immense power once it became clear that Qatar has backing, and will not suffer from economic or air transport blocade. Egypt became a broker. This neicon hubris was the last straw in Riyadh. The crown prince was replaced, an event of historic proportions. The new crown prince accepted Egypt’s lead, and after the meeting in Cauro, all conditions were changed to “principles”. At oresent, Iran is supplying Qatar with consumer goods. Turkey military base grew in numbers, and the pooular opinion of Iran grew in their estimation. Currently, Saudi Arabia and Qatar continue bickering– just enough to mske all US attempts at peace making unsuccessful. Saudi Arabia is in process of major reorientation of its geopolitics, and the recent foaming at neocon mouth against Egypt and its human rights is telling. It became clear to neocons that the mive against Iran resulted in geopolitical disaster. Egypt is with Saudi help going to become regional power, but like Turkey, will no longer be tied to globalism pushed by Washington.
It is really amazing to see how shy out lawmakers are when it comes to neocon power. This tiny move — limiting US involvement in war mess in Yemen, is a sad and inadequate measure, when compared to geopolitical earthquake. As for the US image in the Middle East — it is too late to think about it. As for the neocon all time favorites — drone wars anywhere, it may sadly come to an end in the Skuthern region if Yemen. The so called AQAP, is a product of Saudi intelligence in the hay day if Al-Najaf, then the head of intelligence and security. The goal was to prevent secession. YS did not want secession, as then Shia Yemen would get back the state they had before Clinton. By forcing united state, US and Saudi Arabia wanted to insure Sunni dominance, and seamless control of Bab al Mandeb (The Gate of Sorrows). So, if Saudi Arabia and UAE sponsor the South, and a more neutral Egypt sponsors North, there would be no more ISIS or fake AQAP. Regardless of the modalities of ending the war, or who will shelhard north — the end of war will not be according to neocon plan. Saudi Arabia will need time for transition and face saving. But pooulation is being diverted by the young crown prince announcing the decree that would allow women to drive. He is challenging Wahhabi establishment in this sensitive area, to insure popular support, and alleviate pressures from outside. But this challenge will go deeper into the issue of spreading and bankrolling Wahhabi and Salafi communities world wide. For this, Saudi Arabia has no more money. And the King — oresumably demented according to neocon press is coming to see Trump. And then to see Putin in Moscow. Clearly, he will take the helm if international wheeling and dealing, shielding his son from the vicious attacks. MbS was blamed for all his predecessor policies in neocon press. It will be interesting to see how neocons recover from the lies about King. Thise lies were to put pressure on the King to abdicate, to pave way for their favorite, MbN, to ascend to the throne. But neocons always push too far and too hard, and then reaction shocks them. They always belueve that the target is too weak to resist, and their leverage too strong. They were wrong in the case of Russia, China, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt and now Saudi Arabia. They misculculated the ldvel of support for anti-Iranuan action in the Gulf. Esudes the ibvious culprit, Qatar, they failed to understand the importance of 40% if Shia population in Kuwait, business volume between Iran and UAE, the fear of Shia in Bahrein where they are over 80% of population. And the traditionally good links between Iran and Oman. Iman itself practices a different Sunni sect, and was never eager to allow Saudi Wahhabi sect to spread.
Much is changing, but our Congress still is neocon occupied territory.
Interesting points, Bianca. However, I wonder if your description of neocons always being wrong is correct. It all depends on what the long-term goal is. I cannot judge if the article, below is correct, but an analysis of it is certainly worth a discussion.
https://www.rt.com/op-edge/248269-yemen-oil-saudi-mandeb-strait/
I agree with you Chris . It all depends on what the goal is . If the goal is to act as the government of the entire world ? Than that means they have to issue the worlds orders . Trump campaigned on being president of the USA only ,But he is demanding N Korea obey the NWO orders or be attacked . Reasonable men can see good reasons for either tactic . Todays weapon are so terrible it would be good to have them all in one mans hands . Yet power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely .