But This Time It's Different

A State of Chaos: Yemen Edition


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In this episode, Sinead and Alex plunge into Yemen: a country that's mastered the art of existing without actually functioning. From Ali Abdullah Saleh’s impressive 30-year dance atop a pit of political vipers, to the rise of the Houthis (who built a missile program from spite and Wi-Fi hotspots), they untangle a conflict so messy even the peacekeepers ended up shooting at each other.

Expect detours into Saudi coalition chaos, the UAE’s militia-collecting hobby, and Yemen’s ability to launch ballistic missiles without managing to have a working government. Also featuring: a geopolitical ghost story, Iranian DIY drone kits, and why you probably shouldn’t try turning a country into a WhatsApp group.

Welcome to Yemen: where legitimacy is optional, dysfunction is guaranteed, and international involvement is like pouring gasoline onto a fireworks show

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But This Time It's DifferentBy Brought to you by Sinead O'Sullivan and Alex Chalmers