Rob Morris and Ruairi explore one of the Middle East’s most complex and under-examined geopolitical questions: what is Saudi Arabia really trying to achieve in southern Yemen — and what does it mean for the rest of the country?

As Riyadh shifts from years of direct military intervention toward political influence, reconstruction, and regional diplomacy, the focus is increasingly on southern Yemen. We examine Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen the internationally recognised Yemeni government, counter southern separatism, and manage growing competition with the UAE — all while the north remains firmly under Houthi control, backed by Iran.

Crucially, the discussion asks how these southern moves affect Houthi-controlled Yemen and the wider war. With Saudi Arabia and Iran cautiously improving relations, could de-escalation between the two regional rivals reduce the conflict’s intensity? And might diplomacy, rather than proxy warfare, finally create space for a more stable and unified Yemen?

In this double-bill episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Rob Morris and Ruairi examine two unfolding crises in the Middle East. First, they discuss the protests in Iran, questioning whether a change in government alone can resolve the country’s deep-rooted political, economic, and social challenges. In the second half, the focus turns to the Kurds in Syria, exploring the increasingly bleak future they face amid shifting alliances, regional instability, and international indifference. A wide-ranging conversation on power, protest, and the limits of political change.

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Rob Morris and Ruairi explore the shifting balance of global power and what it means for Europe’s future. Rob argues that the European Union is falling behind the United States economically, politically, and strategically, and questions whether continued alignment with America truly serves Europe’s long-term interests. The conversation dives into sovereignty, independence, and whether Europe should consider charting its own path in an increasingly divided world.

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