CONFLICTED

How Yemen Broke the Saudi-UAE Alliance

Donnerstag, 15. Januar 2026 · 1 h 25

MP3

Shownotes

In this episode, Yemeni researcher and political analyst Baraa Shiban (a great friend of the show) tells the thrilling behind-the-scenes story of how different visions for the future of Yemen led long-simmering tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia to explode into the open.

For further reference, here’s a helpful map of Yemen showing current areas of control: aa.com.tr/en/info/infographic/49654%C2%A0

Baraa explains:

• How Saudi Arabia and the UAE entered the war with different goals

• The role Yemeni political parties and militias played in the conflict

• Why southern Yemen has never been unified

• The UAE’s obsessive fight against the Muslim Brotherhood

• The emergence of parallel security structures and rival centres of power

• How Saudi Arabia acted as a mediator between rival factions

• The explosive gains, and rapid reversals, of Yemen’s renegade Southern Transition Council

Follow Baraa on Instagram: instagram.com/baraashiban

Follow Baraa on X: x.com/BShtwtr

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Conflicted is a Message Heard production.

Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren.

This episode was produced by Thomas Small and edited by Lizzy Andrews.

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