The Military Threat from the Yemens, the Red Sea Nations, and Other Neighboring States

Developments in Iran and Iraq are the most immediate threat to Gulf stability, but other threats are developing in the Yemens, the Red Sea area, and Syria and Jordan. The developments in the Yemens are particularly important, but the growth of Soviet influence in Ethiopia, the instability in Sudan, the changing demographics of Jordan, and Syria's increasing role in Gulf politics may be equally important in the long run. South Yemen has approached the status of a Soviet client state, and North Yemen may follow. Developments in Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, and Sudan could “radicalize” the southern coast of the Red Sea. Jordan is now stable, but Syria is not, and there is growing threat to the Gulf's western flank.