The Third and Last Invasion of Yemen………
“The capital’s Old City is one of the world’s architectural gems, a thicket of unearthly medieval towers etched with white filigree and crowned with stained-glass windows. But more unusual than their mere survival is the fact that the traditional building arts continue to thrive here. Elsewhere in the Middle East, many older houses are being ripped down to make way for bland steel-and-glass high-rise buildings. The hyper-modern skyline of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with its mismatched skyscrapers looking as if they were hurled down at the Persian Gulf from outer space, is being emulated in Beirut and other cities. Yemen is different. For all its many woes — wars, a water crisis and the rise of Al Qaeda — the country’s adherence to ancient traditions often makes it feel like a refuge. Even outside the Old City, the bands and crescents of medieval Yemeni architecture can be seen on many newer buildings and homes, along with the translucent alabaster windows known as gammariyas. The traditions stayed alive largely because of Yemen’s deep poverty and long isolation. Until 1962, north Yemen had been ruled for almost a millennium by xenophobic imams who tried to shut out all foreign influence…………….”
This is now set to change, after decades of dictatorship, mismanagement, and neglect. Iran is partly responsible for this coming change. As they perceive serious Iranian inroads in the region, Saudi Arabia and the oligarchies of the Persian Gulf have suddenly discovered the strategic importance of Yemen. So far the Saudis are providing arms, bombing raids, and soldiers; but that is something they had done in Yemeni civil wars before. To change things they may cough up more money for roads and other life-changing projects. Yemen may become a poorer version of the rest of the Gulf states, who have almost completely erased traces of whatever history they had.
The dictator of Yemen, after 31 years in power, may have found a formula to get more money for his country and for his family. He may also lead to its split.
Cheers
mhg
Mon Email
Comments