why the situation in Yemen is so different from its neighboring Gulf States.
In: 5
Yemen isn’t a Gulf State, just heavily influenced by them. It’s located around the horn of Oman. Saudi Arabia and Iran have both long pushed various factions in a tug of war of power between Sunni monarchies and Shi’ite theocracy, similar to conflicts in Syria and Iraq. The subdivision of the middle east following WW2 by the British and French left lasting conflict and various revolutions, rivalries, and foreign interest has driven significant conflict.
If anything, Yemen has a lot in common with it’s surrounding neighbor, Somalia and Eritrea. Unstable governments, heavily divided war factions. Different reasons as stated above, but similar outcomes.
It, along with Djibouti are the gateway to the Red Sea and Suez Canal, a super important trade route cutting the need to travel from the Gulf to Europe and the US. Djibouti has dozens of foreign military installations providing protection of the gateway. Yemen could provide an alternative for those who want another base not in close proximity to their rivals.
Latest Answers