Tillerson shifts Yemen policy in Riyadh’s favour

An upturn in the Saudi-led coalition’s assault on the Houthis and forces allied to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen coincides with the Trump administration settling into the Washington ‘swamp’. An early signal of how the Trumpistas would approach the Yemen conflict came during secretary of state Rex Tillerson’s 11 January confirmation hearing when the nominee was asked about relations with Saudi Arabia, including its use of cluster weapons. He declined to answer directly on the bombs, saying “I’d have to examine what our past policy has been”.