What role will Moscow assume in Yemen's civil war?
Russia is expanding its reputation as a mediator in various conflicts and could wield its influence in Yemen to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
As separatists surrounded Yemen's de facto capital of Aden on Jan. 30, speculation grew about whether Russia would pick a side in the conflict or, in a more likely scenario, offer to intercede as a mediator.
Just a week before, Abdul-Malik al-Mekhlafi — who is both the Yemeni deputy prime minister and foreign minister — traveled to Moscow seeking Russian influence to stop Iran from supporting the Houthi rebels and interfering in Yemeni domestic affairs.
This remarkable visit emphasized a possible shift in Russia’s attitude toward the conflict in Yemen. In 2016, most analysts considered Russia’s stance as rather “pro-Iranian,” in support of the Shiite Houthi rebels who are fighting the Saudi- and UN-backed government in Aden.
Today, however, such a description of Russia's position seems rather detached from reality.
