It is very definitely a terrible idea for our national security authorities to be lending moral and material support to Saudi Arabia’s brutally clumsy aerial bombing of targets in Yemen, but such assistance nonetheless has been forthcoming. It is quite true that Saudi Arabia is a close ally of America, not to mention a hugely valuable business partner, but not even our friendly relations with the Saudi government ought to excuse our nonchalant acceptance of its indiscriminate slaying of civilians in Yemen. Saudi atrocities are viewed throughout the Middle East as excesses that are condoned by Washington, D.C.
Saudi spokespersons claim that they are attempting to restore the U.S.-backed president of Yemen, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, to power. Their methods for achieving this goal include bombing runs that do not even try to spare civilians. It cannot possibly add to our own ethical standing that the United States is openly backstopping Saudi Arabian brutality inside Yemen.
We will not benefit in the long run by our backing now of Saudi Arabia’s reprehensible behavior.
Frank W. Goheen
Camas
