2. 11. 2023

This episode of The IR thinker examines the war in Yemen with Dr Tom Walsh, tracing the conflict’s historical roots, the social mosaic of Yemeni society and the role of regional and international actors. The discussion considers Saudi Arabia’s intervention, the humanitarian crisis and blockades, the interplay of religion and politics, the use of propaganda and social media, and what a realistic pathway to peace might look like.

Tom Walsh

Dr Tom Walsh is a Lecturer in International Relations and Politics and a Middle East researcher at Northumbria University, and an Associate Instructor at the LSE. An Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he studies narrative warfare and sectarian rhetoric on social media in the so called New Middle East Cold War between Saudi Arabia and Iran, with a particular focus on Yemen. He holds a PhD from Durham University, where his thesis examined the Iranian Saudi rivalry and its role in prolonging the war in Yemen through external intervention, securitisation, sectarianisation and digital media.

Publications:

How to analyze visual propaganda in the Middle East: An analysis of imagery in the “Saudi Strike Force Movie”

Securitisation imperatives and the exaggeration of Iranian involvement with the Houthi movement by international actors

Recommended Texts:

Weathering the Storm: Legality and Legal Implications of the Saud-led Military Intervention in Yemen by Ruys, T. and Ferro, L. (2016)

China’s Middle East Foreign Policy and the Yemen Crisis: Challenges and Implications by Chaziza, Mordechai. (2015)

China and Yemen’s Forgotten War by Chang, I-wei Jennifer. (2018)

China’s Balancing Strategy between Saudi Arabia and Iran: The View from Riyadh by Houghton, Benjamin. (2022)

Russia is friendly with the Houthis in Yemen. But it’s Complicated by Katz, Mark N. (2021)

Saudi-led naval blockade leaves 20m Yemenis facing humanitarian disaster by Borger, J. (2015)

Sensible Politics: Visualizing International Relations by William A. Callahan (2020)

Content

00:00 - Introduction
02:49 - The Roots of Conflict: Why is there war in Yemen?
06:04 - The Mosaic of Yemeni Society: Tribes and Ethnic Groups
08:10 - Foreign Players in the Yemeni Conflict
11:34 - Saudi Arabia’s Motivation for Military Intervention
13:23 - Pursuit of Peace vs. Perpetuation of Conflict
14:49 - Geopolitical Approaches: China and Russia in Yemen
17:37 - Yemen in 2023: A Glimpse of the Current Situation
19:20 - The Intersection of Religion and Politics in Yemen
21:48 - The Humanitarian Crisis Unveiled: Implications of War
25:34 - Blockades and Aid Delivery: The Struggle for Access
28:14 - International Law and the Quest for Humanitarian Corridors
34:20 - Tribal Reactions and Loyalties Amidst the Conflict
37:01 - Yemeni Refugees: Escaping the Ravages of War
39:02 - Yemen and the Shadow of Terrorism
42:21 - International Alliances and Yemen’s Diplomatic Relations
43:50 - Researching Yemen: An Academic Perspective
46:19 - Yemeni Scholars and Their Contributions
48:24 - Propaganda Wars: Visual Narratives by Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Houthis
50:58 - The Power of Social Media in Yemen
52:00 - Recommendations for Policymakers: Tom’s Insights