Yemen Separatists Accuse Saudis, Still 'Leave Door Open' to Them
France 24 dutifully reports that Yemeni separatists accused Saudi Arabia of airstrikes but, in a dazzling display of realpolitik, also 'left the door open' for future coordination. Lest we forget, the Saudis—with significant U.S. military support, including arms sales that ballooned from $989 million in 2009 to $28.4 billion in 2017—initiated the brutal coalition war in Yemen in 2015. Over 377,000
lives have been lost, overwhelmingly due to the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the Saudi blockade. The idea that factions supposedly fighting for self-determination are simultaneously accusing an aggressor of bombing them while still 'coordinating' is peak foreign policy theatre. It raises questions about the 'separatist' agenda versus an enduring willingness to play ball with regional powers
who, notably, have flattened much of their country. One might wonder at what point 'leaving the door open' just means leaving the people without a choice.