In this final episode of Confused About Yemen, Noor Mousa and Rachel Sider look ahead: what kind of future is being imagined for Yemen, and by whom? Is it one country, two, or a more messy reality that doesn’t fit any of the imposed formulas?

From stalled peace talks to quiet deals between armed actors, Noor and Rachel unpack how questions of power, legitimacy, and international involvement shape Yemen’s options, while most Yemenis remain focused on something far simpler: returning home, finding work, accessing services, and living with dignity. They explore why so many people feel shut out of peace processes happening in their name, how long-term displacement and economic collapse affect prospects for peace, and why trust in local elites and international actors is weak.

Despite stagnated diplomacy, the episode also holds space for reasons to hope, including a young population, a strong diaspora, and deep cultural, social, and economic foundations that could support recovery if a lasting political settlement ever takes shape. This is a conversation about Yemen’s future, told from the perspective of those who have watched the same humanitarian warnings repeat for years and believe the country deserves more than protracted limbo.

Episode Notes: 

Resources & Recommendations

Books to Go Deeper on Power, Peace, & Yemen’s Future:

• “Destroying Yemen: What Chaos in Arabia Tells Us About the World” – Isa Blumi.
  A critical look at how regional and international interests have shaped Yemen’s fragmentation and current crisis.
• “Yemen in Crisis: Devastating Conflict, Fragile Hope” – Helen Lackner.
  A grounded overview of Yemen’s modern political history, the war, and the social and economic factors that will shape any future settlement.
• “Yemen: Poverty & Conflict” – Eleanor O’Gorman (or another short policy-oriented text) A concise exploration of how conflict, governance, and livelihoods intersect — useful for understanding why humanitarian and economic questions are central to Yemen’s future.

How to Follow Yemen’s Peace Process in Real Time:
If you want to keep an eye on Yemen beyond headlines, here are some practical ways to track developments:

• UN Special Envoy for Yemen: Follow official statements, briefings, and press releases from the UN Special Envoy’s office (OSESGY) for updates on talks, ceasefires, and negotiation tracks.
• Independent Analysis & Policy: Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies: regular situation reports, analysis on negotiations, and pieces by Yemeni researchers.
• Yemen Data Project / ACLED: Data on conflict events, which can help you see whether violence is actually decreasing on the ground.