Yemen’s high profile peace talks in Sweden are set to open, but already look to be on the brink of collapse, with both sides lashing out at one another, and Houthi officials openly questioning whether the talks are even serious and worth pursuing.
The big stumbling block is that, having finally gotten both sides to the table to discuss a settlement of the multi-year war, the pro-Saudi Hadi government reiterated the same demands they had at the start of the war, insisting that the Houthis unconditionally disarm, and cede the city of Hodeidah to them.
The Houthis are being a bit more modest in their goals, focusing on trying to get the Sanaa International Airport reopened to civilian traffic. They’d also like Hodeidah to remain open to aid, though that’s a matter the UN is already pushing hard for without them.
Though every side went into these talks expressing support for a peace process that would end the war, the Hadi government has continued to make it clear their demands are an unconditional victory, and as ever that is putting a roadblock in front of serious efforts to start making a permanent deal.
Not only should we not be helping the Saudis invade Yemen, we should be helping the Houthis defend their country and achieve democracy. How did Bush put it regarding Kuwait – “Naked aggression shall not stand”?
Who is this “we,” and why should it be involved in the matter at all?
Nations like the US that say they care about freedom is the ‘we’. We all should care about the rights, needs and problems of humanity everywhere. However the US is currently going to extraordinary lengths to make those problems a lot worse… occupying the planet militarily, making numerous threats and blockades, reversing disarmament and climate disruption agreements. We should be involved because we have helped to create a lot of the messes, but the most helpful thing US officials and military forces can realistically do in the short term would be to go home, stay there and shut up. We are absolutely not the indispensable nation.
I sincerely hope not. The new US Ambassador to Yemen is already talking of occupation, long term, to make sure we understand it. Already talking of disarmament, unified Yemen, reconstruction, as if it is given that South
agree with it. Basically, long term nation building/occupation! Trully none if our business. And if we wanted end hunger and disease, all we had to o is lift our naval blockade. The excuse for it — mythucal Iran was goung to ship to Yemenis arms! And that was excuse to forbid all ships by all nations to bring foof and medicine. Some tried and were turned away or directed to ports for search. Who would have prevented us — Saudi navy?
In addition to just announced training of Kurds to provide security in US iccupued Syria. Sounds like another nation building to me.
But we are to cheer and approve any time we are told of the depravity of Saudi ruler. Easy to believe, given history. And here WE go again.
To me the we is any nation that truly cares about self-determination and countering naked aggression. I wish that included the US, but I suppose it doesn’t. No one wisely asks one of the bulls that smashed the China shop to clean up the mess.
Sounds just like the USA with North Korea, with Russia, with……
The Saudis are totally gonna Kissinger this thing.