Ep. 17: Whitewashing America's Role in Yemen
Added 2017-11-29 19:12:09 +0000 UTCOver 15,000 civilians dead and almost a million reported cases of cholera. 17 million people unsure of where their next meal will come from, including 7 million on the brink of starvation. Nearly 3 million people internally displaced. Hunger, disease, and bombs. That's what the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. have wrought on Yemen.
After almost three years of wanton destruction by U.S.-supported Saudi bombing campaigns and, most recently, a total land, air and sea blockade, the vast majority of Americans still haven’t heard much about the dire circumstances facing the people of Yemen. They've heard even less about how the United States is enabling, facilitating, authorizing, aiding and abetting this slaughter.
By and large, the media has almost entirely ignored the decimation of Yemen and its civilian population. When it is touched upon, America's central role in the conflict is often omitted, as is––even more inexplicably––Saudi Arabia's. The violence is routinely referred to as a regional "proxy war" between Gulf monarchies and Iran or Sunnis and Shias, rather than a U.S.-backed massacre.
On this episode, Adam and Nima, joined by Dr. Sheila Carapico and Dr. Greg Shupak, look back at the media’s coverage of this tragedy, why it let Obama off the hook for it, how the typical “cycle of violence” framing is used to obscure U.S. responsibility, and what can be done to lay blame where it belongs moving forward.
[A Patron-Only News Brief on even more recent Yemen coverage was posted on November 22.]
The Guests
Dr. Sheila Carapico is a expert on Yemen. She is a professor of political science and international studies at the University of Richmond, contributing editor of Middle East Report, and has written for many outlets including The Nation and Muftah.
Dr. Greg Shupak is an author and activist who teaches Media Studies at the University of Guelph in Canada.
***
Show Notes
How Media Obscure US/Saudi Responsibility for Killing Yemeni Civilians
Adam Johnson | August 31, 2017 | FAIR
A Call to Resist Saudi (and US) Aggression in Yemen
Sheila Carapico | April 2, 2015 | The Nation
Sanitising bin Salman: How Western media whitewash Saudi violence at home and abroad
Gregory Shupak | November 16, 2017 | Middle East Eye
Downplaying US Contribution to Potential Yemen Famine
Adam Johnson | February 27, 2017 | FAIR
Hiding US Role in Yemen Slaughter So Bombing Can Be Sold as ‘Self-Defense’
Adam Johnson | October 14, 2016 | FAIR
Of Transitology and Counter-Terror Targeting in Yemen
Sheila Carapico | April 22, 2014 | Muftah
How Media Spread CIA’s Sectarian, Anti-Iran ‘Mideast Cold War’ Narrative
Ben Norton | July 25, 2017 | FAIR
Tracking U.S. Involvement in the War in Yemen
November 22, 2017 | The Takeaway (WNYC)
***
References
Famine looms in Yemen, as U.S.-backed Saudi bombing intentionally targets food production
Ben Norton | October 27, 2016 | Salon
Saudi Arabia Is Committing War Crimes in Yemen
Rasha Mohamed, Rawan Shaif | March 25, 2016 | Foreign Policy
Chris Murphy Accuses U.S. Of Complicity In War Crimes From The Floor Of The Senate
Alex Emmons | November 14, 2017 | The Intercept
UK sales of bombs and missiles to Saudi Arabia increase by almost 500% since start of Yemen war
Lizzie Dearden | November 8, 2017 | The Independent
The U.S. Military Can't Keep Track Of Which Missions It's Fueling In Yemen War
Samuel Oakford | September 18, 2017 | The Intercept
Trump Could Be Guilty Of War Crimes After An American Bomb Killed Yemeni Children
John Haltiwanger | September 21, 2017 | Newsweek
Iona Craig | March 9, 2017 | The Intercept
US military members could be prosecuted for war crimes in Yemen
Julian Borger | November 3, 2016 | The Guardian
Dan DePetris | October 9, 2017 | The Los Angeles Times
2 Years Into Yemen War, US Ramps Up Refueling of Saudi Jets
Oriana Pawlyk | February 15, 2017 | Military.com
U.S. expands intelligence sharing with Saudis in Yemen operation
Mark Hosenball, Phil Stewart, Warren Strobel | April 10, 2015 | Reuters
Navy has seven combat ships around Yemen as Saudi-led blockade continues
Dan Lamothe | April 17, 2015 | The Washington Post
US State Department approves Saudi Arabia arms sale
November 16, 2015 | BBC
US secures record $60 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia
Alex Spillius | September 13, 2010 | The Telegraph
***
Yemen in The New York Times
Critique From an Obama Fan (Kristof, 9/10/14)
Smart Girls vs. Bombs (Kristof, 4/11/15)
Sentenced to Be Crucified (Kristof, 10/29/15)
Quiet Support for Saudis Entangles U.S. in Yemen (Mazzetti/Schmitt, 3/13/16)
Obama in Saudi Arabia, Exporter of Oil and Bigotry (Kristof, 4/20/16)
America’s Moral Duty in Yemen (Editorial Board, 8/11/16)
Do You Care More About a Dog Than a Refugee? (Kristof, 8/18/16)
Saudi Arabia Kills Civilians, the U.S. Looks the Other Way (Oakford, 8/19/16)
*****
Comments
chris murphy was on Intercepted talking about Yemen. it was.... bad? about what i was expecting but still a Disappointment.
sensorsweep
2017-11-30 05:18:58 +0000 UTC
