Editorial Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Sana'a Center For Strategic Studies

Editorial March 10, 2023 03:08 MIN January-February 2023 The Saudi-Houthi Talks Are Dangerously Exclusive Reports of bilateral peace talks between Saudi Arabia and the armed Houthi movement have been trickling out since last October, and their recent confirmation in media reports has fueled widespread optimism and speculation. The talks should be welcomed as a step toward ending Yemen’s disastrous war. But to establish a lasting peace, they must quickly expand to include representation of all Yemenis. The current status of Saudi-Houthi negotiations is unclear. They have broached issues that have been on the table since last year’s truce talks, including the provision of public sector salaries, the easing of restrictions at Houthi-held ports, and guarantees on border security. But of fundamental importance is their current exclusivity. The government believes they will soon be brought… Continue reading

Editorial December 16, 2022 04:16 MIN November 2022 Yemen Needs Help to Avert Climate-Driven Catastrophe The historic decision taken at the COP27 climate change conference to set up a “loss and damage” fund for those most vulnerable to the climate crisis is a massive win for developing nations, but Yemeni policy makers need to start preparing now to make sure Yemen receives its fair share. After wealthy countries conceded to putting the question of compensation on the table, the next battle will be over who pays into the fund and who is eligible for financial help. Participation in the negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh was undertaken by a small Yemeni delegation, which was largely unable to make its voice heard. This will be a problem if the government does not prioritize the issue ahead of the… Continue reading

Editorial November 14, 2022 03:27 MIN October 2022 Deescalate the Economic War After weeks of warnings, Houthi authorities followed through on their threat to target Yemen’s oil and gas industry, striking near oil terminals in Shabwa and Hadramawt. There was no damage from the drone strikes, but they did result in a temporary halt in oil exports, diminishing revenues for the already cash-strapped government. If the attacks achieve their intended effect of preventing oil sales, the government will find itself unable to meet crucial fiscal obligations, including the payment of the salaries that support both populations and financing the food imports that find their way to both territories. The country’s economic deterioration has already been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and its effects on food and public service provision, and the… Continue reading

Editorial October 18, 2022 03:47 MIN September 2022 Women’s Rights are Non-Negotiable Houthi restrictions on women’s rights have become increasingly oppressive in recent months. Retrograde efforts to control women are ever more common, most conspicuously through the procedure of requiring the approval of a male guardian, or mahram, for all manner of activities. The mahram can be any male member of the family, including the father, husband, brother, or even a young son. Yemenia Airways has started to request not only a letter of approval from a guardian for women to book outbound flights, with a stamp of approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but for a mahram to physically accompany them on the plane. This includes Yemeni women working for international organizations, who have been prevented from traveling outside their… Continue reading

Editorial September 8, 2022 03:50 MIN August 2022 Saving the Truce The five-month-old truce in Yemen has been a net good for Yemenis and preserving it should be a priority. After more than seven years of ruinous war, the truce has brought the relief of quiet frontlines, the suspension of air strikes, the reopening of the port of Hudaydah for fuel shipments, and the resumption of civilian air flights in and out of the capital. Still, it has been far from perfect. There have been a host of small-scale skirmishes and surreptitious movements of men and equipment, particularly around Taiz and Marib. On August 25-26, Houthi forces launched an attack in Taiz in an attempt to seize the last major government-controlled road into the city, prompting the internationally recognized authorities to… Continue reading

Editorial

Join our Mailing List