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In 343 words, the @WSJ criticizes @POTUS' efforts to avert famine in Yemen by lifting the terrorist designation of the Houthis
The situation in Yemen is complex, involving multiple foreign powers & internal actors
Acknowledging complexity is crucial
1/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-yemen-gamble-11612827688?mod=opinion_lead_pos4
The situation in Yemen is complex, involving multiple foreign powers & internal actors
Acknowledging complexity is crucial
1/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-yemen-gamble-11612827688?mod=opinion_lead_pos4
In an op-ed from the @WSJ editorial board that also appeared in print regarding the trial of Trump, they used 727 words
So clearly, they could have used more words to acknowledge the complexities the situation in Yemen
Instead they promote falsehoods
2/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-democrats-want-a-trump-trial-11612828183?mod=opinion_lead_pos1
So clearly, they could have used more words to acknowledge the complexities the situation in Yemen
Instead they promote falsehoods
2/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-democrats-want-a-trump-trial-11612828183?mod=opinion_lead_pos1
@WSJ focuses exclusively on the malign actions of the Houthis
Indeed, the Houthis are terrorizing Yemenis, as I wrote for @RStatecraft
"The Houthis are essentially using the Yemeni population under their control — approx 20 million people — as hostages"
3/ https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2021/02/06/biden-to-lift-the-wrongheaded-houthi-terrorist-designation-but-whats-next/
Indeed, the Houthis are terrorizing Yemenis, as I wrote for @RStatecraft
"The Houthis are essentially using the Yemeni population under their control — approx 20 million people — as hostages"
3/ https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2021/02/06/biden-to-lift-the-wrongheaded-houthi-terrorist-designation-but-whats-next/
Yet, in their intentionally simplified coverage, the @WSJ ignores the deaths that @POTUS sought to avert
The designation was uniformly condemned by humanitarian orgs & the UN, because it would precipitate the worst famine the world had seen in 40 years
4/ https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/aid-agencies-make-unprecedented-and-united-call-biden-administration-revoke-ansar-allah
The designation was uniformly condemned by humanitarian orgs & the UN, because it would precipitate the worst famine the world had seen in 40 years
4/ https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/aid-agencies-make-unprecedented-and-united-call-biden-administration-revoke-ansar-allah
Furthermore, as researchers at the @SanaaCenter have demonstrated, the designation was likely to further empower the Houthis, making them literally the only source of food & resources, while pushing them towards Iran
5/ https://sanaacenter.org/publications/analysis/12075
5/ https://sanaacenter.org/publications/analysis/12075
The Houthis continue to commit atrocities as they try to strengthen their position for eventual negotiations
However forcing the population under their control to endure additional suffering for the Houthis' crimes does not improve the situation nor give the US "leverage"
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However forcing the population under their control to endure additional suffering for the Houthis' crimes does not improve the situation nor give the US "leverage"
6/
Furthermore, the characterization of the @WSJ editorial board smacks of racism:
"But in the Middle East, adversaries read unilateral concessions as weakness unless they are made from a dominant position."
Are they implying that people in the Middle East only understand force?
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"But in the Middle East, adversaries read unilateral concessions as weakness unless they are made from a dominant position."
Are they implying that people in the Middle East only understand force?
7/
It is often true that humans in conflict respond more directly to coercion, b/c they are forced to.
It may be true that the Houthis are unaccustomed to diplomatic outreach: they fought 6 wars before this one.
The choice to use the words "in the Middle East" is indicative.
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It may be true that the Houthis are unaccustomed to diplomatic outreach: they fought 6 wars before this one.
The choice to use the words "in the Middle East" is indicative.
8/
The @WSJ is redeploying War on Terror fear mongering to paint the Houthis as terrorists & as the only bad actors in Yemen
For all the Houthis' atrocities, thousands more civilians have died from Saudi air strikes
@POTUS was correct to try to avert preventable deaths
9/
For all the Houthis' atrocities, thousands more civilians have died from Saudi air strikes
@POTUS was correct to try to avert preventable deaths
9/
