For instance, former CIA official Graham E. Fuller called the notion "that the Houthis represent the cutting edge of Iranian imperialism in Arabia -- as trumpeted by the Saudis" a "myth." He added:
"The Zaydi Shia, including the Houthis, over history have never had a lot to do with Iran. But as internal struggles within Yemen have gone on, some of the Houthis have more recently been happy to take Iranian coin and perhaps some weapons -- just as so many others, both Sunni and Shia, are on the Saudi payroll. The Houthis furthermore hate al-Qaeda and hate the Islamic State."
But the Obama administration remains sensitive to Israeli-Saudi criticism of its efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear dispute. So, to demonstrate that the Americans are comforting the Saudi royals with "an arm around their shoulders," the U.S. government is embracing the Saudi bombardment of a largely defenseless country and is turning back ships carrying relief supplies.
[For more on this topic, see Consortiumnews.com's "Did Money Seal the Israeli-Saudi Alliance?"](Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
