http://xrdarabia.org/2009/11/16/parsing-the-problems-of-the-houthi/ Informed comment and commentary about Saudi Arabia, reform, and its relations with the US Fri, 25 May 2012 21:12:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://xrdarabia.org/2009/11/16/parsing-the-problems-of-the-houthi/comment-page-1/#comment-25242 John Burgess Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:24:13 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=9275#comment-25242 Yes, I did read that. It's immaterial to the point of the article, though, which says that the problems of the Houthis are those of a tribal group not a religious group, and that it would be a mistake to try to turn this conflict into evidence of an inter-sectarian conflict. I think Al-Zaydi's point was that it's too easy to do just that and then you get away from talking about politics into talking about religion. One is handled on a more rational basis by most people while the second immediately goes to emotions, with which it's particularly hard to argue. Yes, I did read that. It’s immaterial to the point of the article, though, which says that the problems of the Houthis are those of a tribal group not a religious group, and that it would be a mistake to try to turn this conflict into evidence of an inter-sectarian conflict. I think Al-Zaydi’s point was that it’s too easy to do just that and then you get away from talking about politics into talking about religion. One is handled on a more rational basis by most people while the second immediately goes to emotions, with which it’s particularly hard to argue.

]]> http://xrdarabia.org/2009/11/16/parsing-the-problems-of-the-houthi/comment-page-1/#comment-25239 Commenter Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:38:52 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=9275#comment-25239 John, Did you read what I wrote? They're not from two different sects; both sides in Yemen are Zaidi. John,
Did you read what I wrote? They’re not from two different sects; both sides in Yemen are Zaidi.

]]> http://xrdarabia.org/2009/11/16/parsing-the-problems-of-the-houthi/comment-page-1/#comment-25232 John Burgess Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:42:48 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=9275#comment-25232 Media finds it easy to say, "Sunni-Sh'a Conflict!" whenever they notice that two opposing groups are of different sects. Too easy, as it often substitutes for thinking. Media finds it easy to say, “Sunni-Sh’a Conflict!” whenever they notice that two opposing groups are of different sects. Too easy, as it often substitutes for thinking.

]]> http://xrdarabia.org/2009/11/16/parsing-the-problems-of-the-houthi/comment-page-1/#comment-25231 Commenter Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:34:37 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=9275#comment-25231 The idea that the Iranians and their tentacles have successfully pushed onto the Western media is that this is a Sunni-Shi'ite war. In fact, the Yemeni president and nearly all the top members of the Yemeni leadership are themselves Zaidi Shi'ites. This is a war between the Yemeni government and an extremist rebel movement; it is not a Sunni-Shi'ite war. The idea that the Iranians and their tentacles have successfully pushed onto the Western media is that this is a Sunni-Shi’ite war. In fact, the Yemeni president and nearly all the top members of the Yemeni leadership are themselves Zaidi Shi’ites. This is a war between the Yemeni government and an extremist rebel movement; it is not a Sunni-Shi’ite war.

]]>