SUMMARY
Yemen's Houthi rebels seized more islands in the strategically crucial Bab al-Mandab Strait and now control the west coast of the country. This comes as a crucial pipeline in Saudi Arabia will be out of commission for weeks. Ali Rogin discussed the latest with Michael Ratney, the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Biden administration.
View the transcript of the story.
Short on time? Watch the video and complete the following See, Think, Wonder questions: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
News alternative: Check out our recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. Then make a copy and answer these general discussion questions.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- What is the importance of Yemen’s west coast?
- Who is fighting for control of the Bab-El-Mandeb Strait?
- Why are the Saudis seeking military support from the U.S.?
- When did the decade-long Houthi-Saudi Arabian conflict in Yemen start?
- How many people have been displaced due to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen?
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
According to former U.S. ambassador Michael Ratney to Saudi Arabia, the Saudis are seeking “substantial military support” from the United States.” Why might President Trump be hesitant to support Saudi Arabia against the Houthis? Do you think the U.S. should get involved in the Saudi-Houthi conflict? Explain.
Media literacy: As former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, what expertise does Michael Ratney bring to both domestic politics and Middle Eastern affairs? Whose perspective would you also like to hear?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
A. What are gas prices where you live? Have you heard any family members, neighbors or teachers complain about the cost of filling up a tank of gas? (or maybe you drive to school!). Check Gas prices near me on Google (or similar website). What are you seeing in terms of gas prices? Higher or lower in the last week or two? Now check 3 other places across the country. How do prices compare? Are you surprised to learn how international affairs affect gas prices across the globe — or right in your hometown?
B. Learn more about the ongoing Saudi-Houthi conflict that became the world's worst humanitarian disaster around 2018, and how it connects to events today.
In 2018, the News Hour produced a two-part series examining how the nation of Yemen was pushed to the brink of famine during Yemen's war between Yemeni-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels.
Note: Both videos contain graphic content and are more suited for older high school students.
The first part, Yemen's spiraling hunger crisis is a man-made disaster focused on the Saudi blockade which slowed the flow of food and helped push prices up. Markets and businesses were ruined from airstrikes and millions were left destitute. Special correspondent Jane Ferguson smuggled herself across front lines to report on what was happening inside the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
The second part, American-made bombs in Yemen are killing civilians, destroying infrastructure and fueling anger at the U.S., focuses on an aerial bombing campaign by Saudi-led and American-backed coalition, which hammered much of the north of Yemen. The U.S. military supported the campaign against the Houthi rebels with logistics and intelligence, and sold the Saudis many of the bombs it dropped on that country.
Written by PBS News Hour Classroom's intern Ryan Sowder and News Hour's Victoria Pasquantonio
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