Yemen, Yemen make us proud, turn another ship around!

[noblegiraffe]

"Yemen, Yemen make us proud, turn another ship around!" was being chanted on the streets of London yesterday and last week.

I'm just interested in whether people think this is a reasonable thing to be chanting or not, because there were quite a few people chanting it. So a quick poll:

@Trulywonderful

"Yes China is building up to an invasion. They have made that clear. It will probably happen in the next year because most the countries that potentially help Taiwan are getting spread fairly thinly regarding resources, weapons or military."

+++

I think after what we have seen with Iran and Russia in Crimea is that rather than open conflict these nations including China prefer in the grey zone of spreading discontent, funding adversaries to try and wear their opponents downs rather than the risk of outright war.

There are some really good podcasts by Sky news on this:

news.sky.com/story/amp/into-the-grey-zone-podcast-episode-one-the-gathering-storm-12184704

My Sri Lankan friend is uneasy by how much infrastructure China own there and what they may require in return, I understand they are doing the same in many developing nations in Africa. It's a familiar playbook but without the liberal guilt.

As with all 'empires' there will be some benefits to the recipients and if benefits outweigh costs everyone is happy. It remains to be seen what the costs are.

Would it be in China's best interests to 'invade' Taiwan by force, what would they gain?

Anyway..apologies: back to the thread.

China's Belt and Road initiatives have funded infrastructure all around the world that the Chinese think might be useful as they seek domination. It's not just Africa and Sri Lanka; much of the Caribbean has similar Chinese-built and funded infrastructure. All this will enable China to exact economic dues, like a perpetual PFI loanshark.

Taiwan controls 90% of the World’s production of semi conductors, I imagine that China would rather like that control.

I'm sure you are absolutely on the money there @BorgQueen .

Resistance is futile I suppose.😁

Two US Navy seals dead after raid on boat taking arns to the Houthis in Yeman. Trying to stop more weapons getting in to prevent attacks on shipping.

Those useful idiots in the west supporting terrorists should be arrested.

If the houthis are a proscribed terror organisation they could be.
The useful idiots are like children rebelling against their parents, all the privileges.of home but none of the responsibilities

They will be in the US, 30 days from 17th January. Then the idiots can be arrested in the US.

https://www.state.gov/terrorist-designation-of-the-houthis/

x.com/angeloinchina/status/1749618282930549211?s=46

Dr Myriam François on Sky News discussing the houthis and the blockade.

"How dare we have a conversation about trade when there are children right now being treated without anaesthetic."

She says a couple of guys in dinghies are stopping ships. Interesting take.

She says 'we' are bombing Yeman.

She appears not to realise that the genocide inflicted on the Yemenis was inflicted by the same men in dingies .... the houthis!

Ah the genocide in Gaza not the genocide against the Yemanis which appears less important. She is naturally concerned about the deaths in Gaza but less so about who killed many more in Yeman.

So support the houthis who have committed genocide on their own people?

Did anyone see the reports on the IRGC's activity in the UK on News at Ten last night? Whipping up extremism and so on.

She literally says that you can’t go bombing against international law and not expect repercussions and yet somehow she doesn’t think that should apply to Houthis bombing international shipping.

Very confident and yet not very bright.

She should also look into why Yemen is experiencing a humanitarian disaster…

Striking ships heading to Israel in an attempt to stop an ongoing genocide. No fatalities as far as I'm aware. I'm finding it hard to feel outrage about that tbh.

Striking ships heading to Israel in an attempt to stop an ongoing genocide

Except that’s incorrect. They are not striking ships heading to Israel. They are striking lots of ships with nothing to do with Israel.

Did you not know? What do you think about it now?

Thinking is a lot to ask.

I think it's a sad day when terrorists like the houthis are the ones trying to prevent a genocide while everyone else either enables it or actively participates in it.

You haven’t answered my question. Why not?

Do you have a source?

There was this Japanese ship they hijacked, for example https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67470711.amp

Yes, I agree that they should only be targeting Israeli ships.

Or this Danish ship with a Singapore flag, which was not sailing to Israel? https://www.voanews.com/amp/maersk-pauses-red-sea-sailings-after-houthi-attack-on-container-ship/7419131.html

But they’re not. Therefore you agree that you should revise your previous opinion of “I'm finding it hard to feel outrage about that tbh”?

Incidentally there have also been fatalities so your info is wrong there too.

Oooh. Does that make them "good people"