Crash Course With Michael Walker
Yemen and the Houthis (w/ Séamus Malekafzali)
Jan 25, 2024
Yemen's poverty, the rise of the Houthis, their ideologies, and involvement in the Arab Spring, assassination and federalism in Yemen, distorted portrayal of slavery issue, credibility of sources supporting viral claims about the Houthi blockade.
52:35
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The success of the Houthi rebels in Yemen can be attributed to their asymmetric warfare tactics, mobility, and survival, despite the Saudi-led coalition's bombing campaigns and blockades.
- The Yemeni civil war, supported by Saudi Arabia, has resulted in a catastrophic loss of life and a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 150,000 direct deaths from fighting and more than 227,000 deaths due to famine and lack of healthcare facilities.
Deep dives
Houthis' Emergence and Alliances
The Houthis originated from a cultural movement focused on renewing the Zaidi form of Islam in Yemen. They initially participated in the Arab Spring movement against former President Saleh but later allied with him due to his influence and their strategic advantage. The breakdown of power-sharing agreements and the proposed federalism plan led to the Houthis rebelling against President Hadi, resulting in a civil war. The Houthis' success can be attributed to their asymmetric warfare tactics, mobility, and survival. They consolidated control, despite the Saudi-led coalition's bombing campaigns and blockades, causing a severe humanitarian crisis.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
