Who really governs in Yemen?
THE ACTORS: Puppet Masters and Proxies The 'ruling council,' or Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), is comprised of eight members, headed by Rashad al-Alimi. While presented as a unified front, the PLC was established in April 2022 by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, essentially bypassing the internationally recognized but exiled government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. The key players within this newly
announced cabinet reflect a careful balancing act designed to appease various factions — primarily Saudi-backed and Emirati-backed groups, alongside remnants of Hadi's government. This arrangement is less about Yemeni self-determination and more about managing regional interests. THE FUNDING: A Farcical 'Transition' Fund The PLC's formation was accompanied by a Saudi and UAE pledge of $3 billion
to support its budget and economic reforms, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (2022). This isn't aid; it's an investment in a specific geopolitical outcome. The 'new cabinet' members, while ostensibly Yemeni officials, are effectively administrators of funds disbursed by their patrons. The distribution of ministerial portfolios — particularly those controlling lucrative resources or strategic
ports — is a direct reflection of which external power's proxy is currently favored. THE INCENTIVES: Strategic Depth and Control For Saudi Arabia, the incentive is securing its southern border and containing Iranian influence, however perceived. For the UAE, it's about controlling strategic ports and maritime routes, particularly in the south and along the Gulf of Aden. The deadly clashes