It’s a contrast since countries who share borders with Yemen (Oman & Saudi Arabia) are stable & wealthy in comparison. As in, it’s considered a “third world” country while their neighbors are already in “first world” tier, Yemen also has crude oil but people would rather purchase that directly from Oman instead. Also, is their geographical proximity towards Somalia not helping at all (due to piracy)?

  • garth@sh.itjust.works
    22·
    20 hours ago

    Saudi Arabia and Oman are both ruled by absolute monarchies that have cemented political control over their respective nations. Both countries have plenty of corruption and poverty, and the governments are shit, but at least things are stable and predictable for the populace.

    Yemen has not found a stable political structure yet. Since throwing of British colonial rule in the 1960s (not the first foreign power to control the region, and surely not the last) Yemen has been in on-again off-again civil wars as various factions fight for control. Continued foreign intervention has not helped calm things down. The Yemeni people will continue to suffer as long as the fighting continues.

    Oh, and Yemen’s aquifers are drying up. Yemen may become the first country in the world to literally run out of fresh water. That is not going to help anything.