Fuck Muhammad!!!

[Mohammed]

Nobody likes a bully, no wonder they all want us dead.

Do you really feel that way, absolutely? I sure don't -- if only it were so simplistic.

America gets called in a lot to help people in other countries defend themselves against what they perceive as bullies. And, if we don't intervene and assist, then there's the predictable bitching about America having gone weak, not caring about people in any country that doesn't have oil, and all that jazz.

As for Yemen, I'd be very surprised if the Houthis wanted the American and other western embassies to be closed or want us to discontinue relations with Yemen. Houthi leaders don't want the US to turn their backs on Yemen, unless they're complete idiots. I'm not getting that sense about them, so far. They didn't kill the Presidential Aide they kidnapped, they released him after 10 days. They didn't assassinate President Hadi -- they forced him out. They didn't launch an attack on western embassies, they watched everyone evacuate (and then took embassy vehicles and stuff, but meh).

In my opinion, they don't want to alienate the US because they know their viability as a state relies on outside assistance. However, they would love America to stop the drone strikes in the country (unless, of course, those drones had a zero margin of error and could only ever hit al-Qaeda peeps or Houthi rival tribes, then they'd probably be imploring us to launch more of them). "The Death to Americans" slogan is idiotic though and I'd guess came about in response to airstrikes killing some Yemeni civilians and the US's alliance with Saudia Arabia -- but Mo probably knows more about the origins of that rhetoric, I'm just guessing. I think the Houthis are gonna need to dump that rhetoric, organize a regime quickly, and appoint a savvy leader/negotiation -- if they manage to hold onto control.

Anyway, Yemen is one of the poorest countries on the planet. Their oil reserves are almost depleted and water is running out too (most of which is used to grow qat). The country relies heavily on UNICEF and the World Food Bank. The US gives Yemen $150 million a year in aid; they need and want that assistance -- unless they want to throw in the independent-state towel and become part of Saudi Arabia (doubtful).

America could say, "fuck it" and let Saudia Arabia, Egypt and Iran do what they will about Yemen's failed statehood and AQAP. Maybe we should.

Very spot on.

With all this, we are more than curious what's going to happen next. One thing for sure, Benomar is trying to safe his ass, hence screaming now "On the brink of civil war" and trying to look somehow good after realizing he's been played like a Barbie by Salah.

However, one thing the world misunderstands about Yemen. It is the poorest country in the Middle East.

That is not because it it the poorest as per se, but because it has the most population of 25 mill by now, and growing at a mill a second, so percentage wise it looks bad, but wealth? It is the largest market for Porsche in the Middle East, you have villa's here that are rented for 20.000US$ per months, and about 50 billionaires, plus many, many millionaires. They just show it differently. They love the beggar look. Be it for themselves or their country. And it works as the US would surely not offer 150 mill a year to Oman or UAE.

I know people who have personal accounts here that are larger than that.

No, but because 90% of the population is poor, it only leaves 10% with the wealth. But that is still 2.5 million people, which is almost the whole population of Oman or half of that of Australia. 50% of Australia all millionaires. The rest would be Aboriginies of course.

Oil is still there and so is gas. Finally they are building water catchments across Sana'a, but if not, they just drill downwards. I remember at the Sheraton our water came from 300 meter deep and you showered with water that was around when the Dinosaurs roamed the earth. Sana'a is 2200 meter up, so there's still plenty to go down on.

And just like Blueberry says, no smart ass sexual references please!