Saudi intervention in Yemen undermines U.S. interests and values
November 28, 2018
Vital U.S. interests in the Middle East are narrow
Preventing significant, long-term disruptions to the global oil supply
Eliminating anti-American terrorists with the capability and intent to attack the U.S.
Washington’s support of the Saudi-UAE-led coalition’s military campaign undermines U.S. interests
Prolonging Yemen’s civil war strengthens Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Increases resentment directed at the U.S. without a justifying security benefit
Undermines U.S. moral authority and reputation as an exemplar of liberal values
Allows relatively minimal Iranian support to Houthis in Yemen to bog down Gulf countries
Enhances Iran's influence in Yemen far beyond any plausible post-conflict scenario
The Trump administration is right to press for an overdue settlement to the war in Yemen
Ending U.S. military support for the coalition encourages Saudi Arabia to settle
End military support for the Saudi-led coalition’s offensive missions in Yemen: refueling (announced end in November 2018), targeting assistance, operational intelligence, arms, and any other activities which enable the coalition
Support U.N.-led peace talks by pushing Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and their allies to settle with the Houthis
The U.S. cannot produce a political settlement between native Yemeni parties, but ending outside intervention and assistance will encourage one
U.S. strategic interests should guide arms sales
Arms sales decisions should be guided by our strategic interests, not merely our economic interests
The U.S. should not necessarily end all arms sales to Saudi Arabia
As with other nations that are not hostile to the U.S., it is appropriate to allow the sale of weapons that enable Saudi Arabia to defend itself, such as missile defenses
Restrict arms sales that enable the Saudi-UAE-led coalition's ongoing prosecution of its war in Yemen because that war undermines U.S. interests
External intervention by regional powers—including Iran and Saudi Arabia—has inflamed Yemen’s civil war
Worsens humanitarian disaster initiated by the civil war
Exposes civilians to airstrikes and other harms
No political-military victory over the Houthis and associated forces is imminent
No achievable security or prosperity gains in Yemen justify the costs associated with U.S. involvement—U.S. military support for the Saudi-UAE coalition should end