Page 168 - What Kind of Yemen ?

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Strength and security are two of the criteria on which countries
base their foreign policies. Almost all countries feel the need to be
regarded as strong by their neighbors in order to ensure their own
security.
Countries can wage war against their neighbors if they regard
them as threats, or sometimes, instead of war, may seek to increase
their strength through various alliances. Other methods of ensuring
security without resorting to violence are economic sanctions and
blockades. Yet another method, despite being forbidden under interna-

tional law, is supporting armed elements within a neighboring coun-
try. All these methods are utterly ruthless and lead to death or suffer-
ing among innocent civilians.
Events in Yemen today may be interpreted as the result of these
ruthless methods in the international system. Regional and global
powers are making various calculations regarding Yemen, and that has
condemned the country to many years of instability.

The internal dynamics stemming from the social and political
structure of Yemen certainly play a role in what is going on. Factors

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