Back to the past or a new era emerges?
Sometimes I do wonder with all the history of the Yemen a BBC SME, from RUSI, can write this:
Quote:
The retaking of a key air base to the north of the southern city of Aden is a major strategic victory for the Yemeni government in its fight against the Houthi-led insurgency.The al-Anad air base is important for a number of reasons.....is extremely important for operations against AQAP)....It was a badly kept secret that much of the US drone programme that targeted al-Qaeda operatives in the south of the country was based out of al-Anad....The recapture of the base and the surrounding areas will ensure that a long-term counter terror presence can be maintaine..
Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-33778116
Given that part of the anti-Houthi allaince is AQAP, let alone the stance of the Saudis, would the US be allowed to return and attack AQAP? I think not.
Then the BBC's own correspondent, Frank Gardner, reflects on the KSA's new assertiveness:
Quote:
...the Saudi military has now been at war with Houthi rebels for more than four months....For Saudi Arabia, this is about more than just securing its southern flank.The Saudis fear they are being steadily encircled by Iranian allies and this is something they want to reverse.
Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-33825064
The Liberation of South Yemen Proves Saudi Arabia's Power is Growing
The Liberation of South Yemen Proves Saudi Arabia's Power is Growing
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Senior Saudi royal urges leadership change for fear of monarchy collapse
Not sure what to make of this article, although Saud family rivalry is not new:http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sa...pse-1612130905
Saudi Arabia: The Stunning Human-Rights Abuses of a U.S. Ally
Saudi Arabia: The Stunning Human-Rights Abuses of a U.S. Ally
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Why Saudi Arabia's Coalition Against Terror Might Not be All it Appears
Why Saudi Arabia's Coalition Against Terror Might Not be All it Appears
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Analysts: Saudi Arabia's Clerics Inspire Islamic Extremism
Analysts: Saudi Arabia's Clerics Inspire Islamic Extremism
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Shi'ite Muslims Outraged by Saudi Execution of Cleric
Shi'ite Muslims Outraged by Saudi Execution of Cleric
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Comparing Saudi Arabia and Iran
The new direction of Syrian arguments is about picking a side in the Sunni-Shia conflict.
Pro-Russian partisans accuse Saudi Arabia of being less democratic and more repressive than Iran, and of using Islamist groups including AQ and IS the way Iran uses the IRGC.
They highlight Iran's relative "freedom of religion" compared to KSA, the fact that women can drive in Iran, etc. The Al-Nimr execution has brought this line of argument to the fore.
However, upon closer examination, the Iranian regime is more bloodthirsty. They execute at least 3X more people per year than the KSA and have killed 12,000-15,000 in waves of purges against the Tudeh and other opponents to Khomeini. In contrast, Saudi political bloodletting from '79 to present is several hundred.
In addition, there is Hezbollah, Hamas and the IRGC to contend with, which are either arms of the Iranian state or sponsored by them. Private donations aside, the Saudis have nothing comparable.
Anyone care to add more?
Ruling the Kingdom: US Agency in the Saudi Arabian Nuclear Proliferation Puzzle
Ruling the Kingdom: US Agency in the Saudi Arabian Nuclear Proliferation Puzzle
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