While Iran's destructive influence in Yemen is as alarming to Saudi Arabia as its meddling in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, Saudi Arabia's decision to intervene militarily in Yemen was based on much more than merely countering Iran. It's precisely because of — and not despite — Yemen's potential to slip into complete chaos that Saudi Arabia chose to intervene. There was no other way for Saudi Arabia. There is no other way for Yemen.

Saudi Arabia pledged $3.25 billion in aid to Yemen in 2012 to support President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi's newly established government, a boost worth over 11% of the country's 2012 gross domestic product of $29.21 billion. This is only one of many Saudi pledges, not to mention the extensive aid that Yemen gets from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In addition, the $4 billion in remittances of almost 1 million Yemeni expatriates in Saudi Arabia have historically been indispensable to Yemen's economy. In addition, Saudi regulations have now changed to allow businesses to have up to 10% Yemeni staff.

It might be a fair point to criticize Saudi Arabia for backing Ali Abdullah Saleh for so long, or for not doing enough to prevent the misallocation of its financial support to Yemen. One might find ample ground for critiquing Saudi Arabia's strategy in Yemen as one characterized by quick-fix tactics and not long-term strategies. But it is undeniable that Saudi aid has kept Yemen afloat for several decades.

It has supported the military, the security apparatus, education and social services, transportation projects, health care and a wide array of other government services. With arguably the most heavily armed civilian population in the world, a growing al-Qaeda presence and perpetual tribal conflict, this aid prevented Yemen from slipping into complete and utter disarray.