Economist Podcasts Supply demands: Yemen peace talks
May 14, 2019
Michael Reid, Senior Editor at The Economist, tackles vital international issues, including the fraught peace talks in Yemen, where conflicting interests complicate a ceasefire. He discusses the humanitarian crisis affecting the country, and turns to the challenges of democracy in Latin America, highlighting economic stagnation and rising authoritarianism. Reid emphasizes the need to preserve democratic values amid global erosion, illustrating this with insights from Turkey and the implications for U.S. foreign policy, along with a look at corruption scandals in Bulgaria.
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The strategic importance of Hodeidah
- Hodeidah's port is vital as it handles up to 80% of Yemen's imports and aid.
- The Saudi-led coalition controls sea clearances, using this power to economically strangle Houthi-controlled areas.
The complex web of actors in Yemen
- The conflict involves a complex network of actors, including the Houthis, the Yemeni government, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and various other forces.
- This makes achieving a lasting peace agreement difficult, as many influential groups are not part of the current talks.
US involvement in the Yemen war
- US support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has come under scrutiny, with both the Senate and the House voting to end it.
- President Trump vetoed the resolution due to his close relationship with Saudi Arabia.