Monday, March 27, 2017

Is The U.S. About To Boost Support For The Saudi-Led War In Yemen?

© AFP 2017/ FAYEZ NURELDINE

Foreign Policy: Pentagon Weighs More Support for Saudi-led War in Yemen

As the administration debates how to confront Iran, some in the Pentagon favor ratcheting up support for Saudi Arabia’s campaign against Tehran-backed Houthi rebels.

The Pentagon is looking to increase support for Saudi Arabia’s two-year-old war against Houthi rebels in Yemen, signaling a possible expansion of Washington’s controversial backing for a campaign that human rights groups say has killed hundreds of civilians and fueled a growing humanitarian crisis.

Several Defense officials told Foreign Policy the prospect of more American help for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen was under discussion even as the administration examines its broader strategy in the region, including looking at ways to counter Iran and to defeat Islamic State militants. The Pentagon views increased support for the Saudi-led coalition as one way of potentially pushing back against Iran’s influence in Yemen, as well as shoring up ties with an ally that felt neglected by the previous administration.

Read more ....

Update #1: Trump administration weighs deeper involvement in Yemen war -- Washington Post
Update #2: The Appalling Idea of Increasing U.S. Support for the War on Yemen -- Daniel Larison, American Conservative

WNU Editor: Yemen has been a quagmire for Saudi Arabia .... dragging the U.S. into this conflict (short of a massive intervention) will not be changing the situation on the ground.

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