US role in Yemen agony

Saudi Arabia’s powerful heir apparent, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is visiting Washington and other American cities this week promoting his image as an enlightened reformer out to modernise his conservative country and encourage foreign investment.

That image is stained by his chief foreign policy initiative, the humanitarian catastrophe that is the war in Yemen, in which at least 10,000 civilians have been killed, many as a result of indiscriminate air strikes by the Saudis and their Persian Gulf partners. The United States has been Saudi Arabia’s main enabler, supplying weapons and other military aid.

Some members of Congress, understanding their constitutional responsibilities over how and when the United States wages war, proposed a bipartisan resolution to end American military involvement in Yemen within 30 days unless Congress formally authorises it. Tragically, it was effectively defeated on Tuesday when the Senate voted 55 to 44 to table the measure. Other legislative efforts yet to be considered would block military aid to Saudi Arabia, including millions of dollars in arms sales.

For too long, Congress has abdicated its role as America prolonged its stay in some wars and expanded into others, like Yemen. And presidents have been too reluctant to share these crucial decisions with lawmakers. Resolutions like this can and must still be pursued to force serious debate and accountability.