Rather than pursuing a programme of direct involvement, Britain should seek a low profile in Yemen and encourage other Arab states to use their ‘soft power’ to encourage political and economic reforms

Recent political developments in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world, unthinkable even six months ago have resonated across the entire region. While the UK and the West may seek to encourage democratic reforms in other countries such as Yemen, Nima Khorrami Assl writes that a more active and engaging foreign policy in this area may in fact have the opposite effect to what is intended.