BBC Documentary: The Rise of the Houthis

[sandorski]

Meh, the Houthis are looking pretty smart overall in that documentary. They left the Yemini government largely intact (albeit under their thumb), they understood the importance of dressing their soldiers in uniforms (appearance of authority and professionalism), and they're extremely articulate. What they get wrong can be attributed to raw ignorance as opposed to raw stupidity.

I'm not sure how I feel about a group like that with a slogan that includes "death to America" among other lines. That said, they also might be more easily reasoned with. They'd also take on Al-Quaeda of their own accord.

In any case, I say we stay out.

Haven't watched this Documentary, but watched a imbedded Vice report on them. One thing that struck me with the "Death to America/Israel" thing was how formulaic it seemed. Just seemed like something that's said out of habit rather than passion. Clearly their focus is more local and perhaps they are part of a larger thing that includes some Anti-Israel/America sentiment, but it almost seems that the larger part of that could be changed. Even within Iran the Anti-Americanism is but a shadow of what it used to be back after the Revolution.

 

[irishScott]

Haven't watched this Documentary, but watched a imbedded Vice report on them. One thing that struck me with the "Death to America/Israel" thing was how formulaic it seemed. Just seemed like something that's said out of habit rather than passion. Clearly their focus is more local and perhaps they are part of a larger thing that includes some Anti-Israel/America sentiment, but it almost seems that the larger part of that could be changed. Even within Iran the Anti-Americanism is but a shadow of what it used to be back after the Revolution.

I wish. The documentary also pointed out that the slogan was originally crated by their founder, who was actually named "Houthi". He was killed by the Yemeni government after a few years of rebellion and they've got several shrines to him. He also belived 9/11 was a US/Zionist conspiracy to invade Islamic lands. I'm thinking they take that slogan rather seriously. At the very least they'd have to pay it lip service, best we could hope for is some help deep under the table.

 

[sandorski]

I wish. The documentary also pointed out that the slogan was originally crated by their founder, who was actually named "Houthi". He was killed by the Yemeni government after a few years of rebellion and they've got several shrines to him. He also belived 9/11 was a US/Zionist conspiracy to invade Islamic lands. I'm thinking they take that slogan rather seriously. At the very least they'd have to pay it lip service, best we could hope for is some help deep under the table.

They might. Even if they do, it is very unlikely they will ever be a serious threat. In the sense of being able of completely destroying either anyway.