海角大神

Amid the devastation of war, our reporter聽has been moved by the resilience, courage, and resolve he has encountered in Ukraine.

An insider鈥檚 view聽of the Shanghai lockdown offers insight into China鈥檚 aggressive COVID-19 control measures, and the moral and political questions they raise.

Our reporter explores a battlefield in Spain that is a time capsule of a devastated city, a visit conducted in the shadows of another land war in Europe.聽

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Can we better understand the present by examining the past? Our reviewer has chosen key books that probe the history behind Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine.聽 聽

Many a war has ended when an outside mediator realized civilians caught in the conflict are useful tools for peace. The plight of innocent people can bind the warring parties. Shared empathy then yields shared trust during a negotiation. This tactic helps explain a surprise truce in Yemen after seven years of war. If the pause in violence leads to a just peace, the survivors could be seen as victors rather than victims.

The truce that began April 2 reflects shifts both in and around this civil war on the Arabian Peninsula. The two outside protagonists, Iran and Saudi Arabia, appear tired of this particular proxy fight for Middle East dominance. Inside Yemen, a military solution between armed factions is clearly out of sight. Since late 2021, the timing has been ripe for a new United Nations mediator, Hans Grundberg, to bring an approach that involves listening to women鈥檚 groups, tribes, and civil society about their priorities.

The result was a truce that includes meaningful economic relief and a broadening of political participation. Saudi Arabia has dumped its key and unpopular ally in Yemen, former President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Last month, it also helped set up a new, broad-based leadership council that might open a door for Iran-backed Houthi rebels to agree on shared governance.

Ships are being allowed into a key port bringing badly needed fuel. Commercial flights into the Sanaa airport have resumed. The warring parties agreed to open roads to allow aid, trade, and people to flow between contested regions. Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates promised a $3 billion aid package.

Mr. Grundberg鈥檚 multitrack approach relies on continued efforts to give voice to the millions of Yemenis still suffering under one of the world鈥檚 worst humanitarian crises. Direct talks toward a political settlement have yet to begin. The U.N. does not have people on the ground to monitor the cease-fire.

Yet, says the Swedish diplomat, 鈥淎cross the plurality of voices, a common message has emerged 鈥� Yemenis want the war to end, and they want a just and durable peace.鈥�

The truce was also well timed to coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The time for fasting and prayer may help melt one of the other tensions in Yemen: rivalry between Islam鈥檚 branches. Mr. Grundberg鈥檚 work was also aided by nearby Oman, a small country that plays a pivoting mediating role in the Middle East, as well as pressure by the United States on Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Yet credit for the budding peace goes to Yemeni civilians. They 鈥渁re united in their desire for the truce to be upheld, renewed, and consolidated as a step towards peace,鈥� said聽Mr. Grundberg. By listening to their first priority 鈥� a bolstering of the economy 鈥� mediators have widened the door to a political peace.