The Dove: The UK’s Foreign Policy Paradox

The United Kingdom's involvement in the Yemen conflict through the Al Yamamah arms deal with Saudi Arabia raises profound questions about the intersection of international arms trade, geopolitics, and humanitarian law. The UK’s attitude towards Yemen is complicated and often contradictory. Amidst the backdrop of escalations in Yemen today, the broader implications for global governance, ethics in international relations, and the pursuit of peace hang in the balance.

Historical Context and Strategic Imperatives

The Al Yamamah (Arabic translation for the word ‘dove’) deal, orchestrated during Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's tenure, represented a strategic alignment between the UK and Saudi Arabia, underpinned by mutual economic and security interests. The deal, valued at least £43 billion in 2010, involved the regular supply and maintenance of fighter jets from the British defense firm BAE Systems, as well as the Royal Air Force’s training expertise, regular maintenance, and arsenal of missiles to ensure Saudi air supremacy.

The controversy surrounding the deal, particularly concerning allegations of a multimillion-pound "slush fund" used by BAE Systems to secure the contract, led to investigations and significant scrutiny within the UK and internationally. The UK government’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) uncovered bribes totaling as much as £6 billion paid by BAE Systems to members of the Saudi royal family and others. However, under heavy pressure from the Saudis, the SFO investigation was shut down in 2006 in an intervention spearheaded by then Prime Minister Tony Blair. 

In 2007, the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) and Securities and Exchange Commission launched their own investigation over allegations that an American bank had been used to funnel payments. Three years later, BAE Systems reached a settlement over corruption claims with the SFO and the DoJ, costing the company just over £285 million. US District Judge John Bates commented on BAE's actions as "deception, duplicity and knowing violations of the law … on an enormous scale.”

Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen: A Direct Consequence

The ongoing conflict in Yemen, exacerbated by the Saudi-led counteroffensive in 2015, highlights the direct consequences of arms deals on regional conflicts. Operation Decisive Storm’s indiscriminate cluster bombing campaign resulted in approximately 15,000 civilian casualties and a catastrophic humanitarian crisis compounded by hunger and disease, with 377,000 killed already in the war estimated in 2021. The UK, as a supplier and stakeholder, faces ethical dilemmas given its role in the conflict and it necessitates a response to absolving parties involved, and more importantly: providing humanitarian support in the period of conflict transformation and remediation.

The Paradox of International Commitments

The UK's commitment to international law, such as ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2010, starkly contrasts its actions in Yemen. This dichotomy reflects a broader issue in international relations: the gap between human rights rhetoric and geopolitical strategy realities. Furthermore, The UK took an assertive stance to call for the end of cluster bombing worldwide and specifically took a strong opposition to supplying them in Ukraine—further highlighting this inconsistency. This raises questions about the selective application of international norms based on strategic interests.

Internal Dynamics and Global Perception

The internal scrutiny within the UK, spurred by financial irregularities in the Al Yamamah deal, has led to a critical reevaluation of foreign policy and arms trade practices. However, the UK's global perception as a champion of liberal values diverges sharply with its involvement in Yemen and unwavering support for Saudi Arabia, an autocratic regime. This dissonance undermines the credibility of international institutions and norms, particularly when powerful nations like the UK, which holds a seat on the United Nations Security Council, fail to align their actions with their professed values.

Path Forward: Envisioning UK's Role in Global Peace and Governance

The UK's involvement in the Yemen conflict epitomizes the necessity for global governance reform, emphasizing ethical considerations, and human rights in foreign policy. It also highlights the need for transparent, accountable policies centered on human rights and the urgency for countries, especially influential ones like the UK, to align their foreign policy with international legal norms and human rights standards.

As the UK engages in a new phase of war in Yemen, it is crucial to shift our approach to address systemic issues in arms trade and proxy warfare. These factors exacerbate conflicts like Yemen's, disproportionately affecting civilians. Thus, addressing these root causes is essential for fostering a more just international community.

Sources:

Campaign Against Arms Trade. 2023. “The War on Yemen’s Civilians.” CAAT. August 25, 2023. https://caat.org.uk/homepage/stop-arming-saudi-arabia/the-war-on-yemens-civilians/#:~:text=This%20direct%20death%20toll%20includes,by%20the%20Saudi%2Dled%20coalition..

Craig, Daniel, and Graham Stuart. 2022. “UK Calls for the End of Cluster Munitions Use around the World.” GOV.UK. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office . August 30, 2022. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-calls-for-the-end-of-cluster-munitions-use-around-the-world.

Dawber, Alistair. 2010. “BAE Protesters Win SFO Injunction.” The Independent. March 3, 2010. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/bae-protesters-win-sfo-injunction-1914892.html.

Elbagir, By Nima. 2015. “‘A Window into Hell:’ Desperate Yemenis Flee Saudi Airstrikes by Boat.” CNN. April 9, 2015. https://www.cnn.com/2015/04/09/middleeast/yemen-refugees-djibouti/index.html.

Harding, Luke, and Michael Savage. 2023. “UK Will Not Supply Cluster Munitions to Ukraine, Says Sunak.” The Observer, July 8, 2023, sec. World news. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/08/ukraine-cluster-munitions-rishi-sunak-aid.

Heimann, Fritz, Gillian Dell, and Transparency International. 2008. “Progress Report.” OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, June, 38.

Leigh, David, and Rob Evans. 2007. “Blair Called for BAE Inquiry to Be Halted.” The Guardian. December 22, 2007. https://www.theguardian.com/baefiles/story/0,,2231496,00.html.

Leigh, David, Rob Evans, and Mark Tran. 2010. “BAE Pays Fines of £285m over Arms Deal Corruption Claims.” The Guardian. February 5, 2010. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/05/bae-admits-bribery-saudi-yamamah.

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United Nations Development Programme. 2021. “Assessing the Impact of War in Yemen: Pathways for Recovery.” UNDP. November 23, 2021. https://www.undp.org/yemen/publications/assessing-impact-war-yemen-pathways-recovery.