As the Middle East enters a new year, several major changes are taking place. Syria’s interim government is hosting foreign dignitaries and sending envoys on regional tours. In Gaza, there are reports that negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas have made significant progress. In Lebanon, an imperfect ceasefire continues to hold as the country’s politicians prepare to meet this week and choose a new president.
There is less expectation for progress in Yemen, which remains a hotspot of entrenched volatility. Last week, it was reported that extremists from Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula executed 11 people, including a Yemeni journalist. On New Year’s Eve, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired missiles at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport and a power station in southern Jerusalem. The Houthis were on the receiving end of attacks, too, with US Central Command saying it carried out strikes against rebel targets in Yemen's capital and coastal locations. The plight of ordinary Yemenis continues with little global attention.
Despite the recent setbacks experienced by the so-called Axis of Resistance, the Iran-backed proxy network that includes the Houthis, the Yemeni rebels appear to be secure at home and continue to rule with a heavy hand. Last month, The National spoke to Yemeni parents who were concerned about their children after the Houthis introduced a weapons-training programme for high school and university students in areas under their control. The country continues to experience the world’s worst humanitarian crisis and internationally, the Houthis have turned the Red Sea into a battleground by attacking international shipping.
This stalemate could soon be shaken up as US president-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to power. Under President Joe Biden, Washington’s Yemen policy began with a focus on aid and diplomacy but since the Gaza war has changed to one defined largely by air strikes. This has achieved little. It has failed to dislodge the Houthis, whose attacks against Israel and international shipping continue. Arguably, it has even emboldened them further.
Previous attempts to support Yemen’s legitimate government with mainly military means ultimately proved unsatisfactory. Saudi Arabia, which led the Arab Coalition – the multinational force that responded in 2015 to a request for help from Yemen’s then president – has engaged in mediation efforts with the Houthis since 2022. Although it has been a drawn-out process, it remains an important diplomatic route out of perpetual crisis. The experience of Yemen’s neighbours in so engaging with the Houthis could be instructive.
The first step must be for Washington to use its undoubted influence to swiftly end Israel’s war in Gaza
By listening to security partners in the Gulf, empowering Yemen’s legitimate government, putting pressure on external actors who support the Houthis, breaking arms-smuggling routes, and backing a unified talks process, the US can play a meaningful and multifaceted role in ending this persistent crisis. But the first step must be for Washington to use its undoubted influence to swiftly end Israel’s war in Gaza. This would not only remove the excuse used by the Houthis for their destabilising actions in the Red Sea and wider Middle East, it would also end the situation in which Israel effectively shapes US actions towards Yemen.
A failure to find new ways forward offers only festering instability and militant rule over large parts of the country. Yemen’s people, and the Middle East, deserve better than that.
Company%20Profile
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
MATCH INFO
Serie A
Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fast%20X
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good
One star
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
