DeepSummary
The episode begins with a discussion on the ongoing Israeli war against Gaza and the US government's support for Israel's actions. Jeremy Scahill and Murtaza Hussein critique the Biden administration's stance, arguing that despite rhetoric about seeking peace, the US continues to provide military aid to Israel and has expanded airstrikes into Yemen.
The hosts then interview Shereen Al-Adeimi, who provides insights into the history of the Houthis in Yemen and the country's complex relationship with foreign powers like the US and Saudi Arabia. She explains how the Houthis emerged as a resistance movement against corruption and foreign influence, and how they gained popular support among Yemenis.
Al-Adeimi discusses the implications of the US airstrikes in Yemen and the Houthis' blockade of the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. She warns that the situation could escalate into a broader regional conflict, and criticizes the Biden administration for continuing to fuel violence in the Middle East despite claims of seeking peace.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Biden administration has continued to provide military aid to Israel despite its ongoing assault on Gaza, contradicting claims of seeking peace.
- The US has expanded its military involvement in the region by conducting airstrikes in Yemen against the Houthi movement.
- The Houthi movement in Yemen emerged as a resistance against corruption and foreign influence, gaining popular support among Yemenis.
- The conflicts in Gaza and Yemen have the potential to escalate into a broader regional war, with the Houthis implementing a blockade in solidarity with Palestinians.
- There is a disconnect between the Biden administration's rhetoric about seeking peace and its actions, which continue to fuel violence in the Middle East.
- The US has played a central role in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, contradicting claims of merely providing support.
- The Israeli military campaign in Gaza has been criticized as a reactionary and ill-planned response, lacking a clear strategy or exit plan.
- The Houthis' actions have been primarily defensive and aimed at repelling Saudi aggression, rather than expansionist.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “The United States was more than happy to lend support for the Saudis. And many think of this as a US led war in Yemen anyway.“ by Shereen Aladimi
- “I think this entire military offensive began very much in a panic and a rage after October 7. There was not much foresight, not much planning.“ by Murtaza Hussein
- “We know from polls and from demonstrations and everything going on around here that most people in this country, most Democrats for sure, are calling for a ceasefire. And instead of working toward a ceasefire, instead of making the support for Israel conditional or pulling it all together, we're seeing this administration doing everything they can to support Israel, while at the same time claiming that they, oh, I have no leverage in Israel.“ by Shereen Aladimi
- “They have not had any ambitions to take over or to go outside of their borders, except to win these short battles with the Saudis at the border, because that was the only place they could face them on the ground.“ by Shereen Aladimi
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Episode Information
Intercepted
The Intercept
1/24/24
With his airstrikes this month ordered in response to attacks on Red Sea shipping, Joe Biden has become the fourth consecutive U.S. president to bomb Yemen. The strikes targeted against the Houthi militant group are aimed at preventing further attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. Biden himself has said that the strikes carried out so far have been ineffective but that they would continue on nonetheless.
This week on Intercepted, Shireen Al-Adeimi, an assistant professor of language and literacy at Michigan State University and non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute focused on Yemen, joins us to discuss the history of U.S. involvement in the country since the war on terror and the potential impact of this new intervention on Yemeni society. With co-hosts Jeremy Scahill and Murtaza Hussain, Al-Adeimi discusses the U.S. role in facilitating a disastrous Saudi and Emirati war in Yemen over the past decade, the emergence of the Houthis, and the political threats of the present conflict as Yemenis attempt to negotiate a peace agreement aimed at putting an end to a devastating conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands in the country.
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