World Politics News   Articles for World Politics Course

Saudi Arabia has launched an attack on the Houthi  rebels who have seized power in Yemen.  The Houthi rebels are nominally supported by Iran, although the Houthi struggle against the Sunni government of Yemen has long-standing internal issues.  Nonetheless, the Houthi are Shia Muslims, and Saudi Arabia regards their overthrow of the Sunni government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi as an extension of Iranian power in the Gulf region.  The Saudis claim to have a ten-state coalition supporting its efforts, but did not name those allies.  Presumably the US has been apprised of the attack and is likely providing technical assistance. It is highly doubtful, however, that the US will get directly involved in this conflict.

The Greek government is in a desperate scramble to find enough money to repay an IMF loan which is due on 9 April.  The Greeks are taking money out of pension plans, money designated for farm subsidies, and stopping payment on all supplies for the state government.  Metaphorically, the Greeks are searching underneath the couch cushions to find enough money to avoid a default. In the midst of this crisis, the troika continues to insist upon regular repayment of the debt obligations.  All evidence suggests that the relations between the government and the troika are essentially unproductive.