A new strategic challenge

In the midst of growing fissures in the Middle East, the crisis in Yemen has become the latest focal point for regional and global powers. The land of qat and coffee, of the legendary Queen of Sheba and the dreaded Osama bin Laden, promises to be a hot seat of power play for years to come. More specifically, Yemen is seen as a flash point of a growing confrontation between the Arabs and the Persians.
On whose side should Pakistan be if push comes to shove? Historically, both the Arabs and the Persians have invaded lands that now constitute Pakistan. Both have left a deep imprint on these lands. In matters of culture, language and religion, Pakistan has drawn from both these sources. Ever since the revolution in Iran, the Arabs and the Persians have fought a proxy war in Pakistan, accentuating the Shia-Sunni divide in the country.
Pakistan’s current dilemma is not without a certain historical background. A quick rewind reveals that, continuing with Iran’s imperial legacy, the Shah of Iran considered Pakistan as a part of his zone of influence. As Pakistan moved closer to the Gulf states after the oil boom of the 1970s, the Shah grew impatient with Bhutto who had played a major role in tapping the manpower needs of the thinly populated Arab states. Bhutto too was said to be frustrated with the Shah’s highhandedness.
The Shah’s downfall in 1979 led to a new challenge for the Arab countries as the revolutionary regime announced its intentions to export the revolution. The Gulf Arab countries endowed with enormous oil revenues began to arm themselves to face the Israeli threat and also that of a re-emerging Iran. They financed Saddam’s ten-year war against the Islamic Republic.
Pakistan played an important role either directly or through the recruitment of retired officers in building up capacity of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf emirates. A large contingent was deployed in Saudi Arabia for years to buttress its position against possible attack.
Keeping this historic perspective in view, the Saudis’ asking Pakistan for troops should surprise no one – particularly the Iranians. It should also be remembered that following the occupation of Kuwait by Saddam when insecurity was once again at its peak in some Gulf countries Pakistan played an important role in strengthening their defence capabilities.
The situation in Yemen cannot be seen in isolation to the growing fear in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain about Iran’s increasing influence in the region. The threat of an Iran allied force in Yemen after the phenomenal rise of Iran’s role in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Gaza renders Riyadh’s position precarious.
Pakistan cannot possibly stay aloof from this, despite vociferous statements from the opposition parties. A high-powered Pakistani delegation is in Saudi Arabia just as the chairman of the joint chiefs is ending his tour of Bahrain. Helping Saudi Arabia and Bahrain should not be seen as taking sides. Egypt, which like Saudi Arabia is Iran’s rival in competing for influence in the Gulf, would be happy to oblige the Saudis and Bahrainis. In sending troops to either of them in a defensive role, Pakistan is not threatening a third country.
Intervening in Yemen is a different matter altogether. Pakistan should go by the Arab consensus as reached at the Arab League summit in Sharm el Sheikh about the establishment of an Arab force to be deployed in conflict zones. There is no clear indication of Pakistan being asked to send forces to fight in Yemen. We should ensure that any naval movement by Pakistan is also meant for a humanitarian role rather than as an intervention force in the Yemeni conflict. It is time for the government to state its position in a forthright manner.
Email: saeed.saeedk@gmail.com