PEPE&LARRY:Not Pakistan: Who Is Really Behind Saudi Arabia’s War on Yemen,Trump Says No Iran Strike

Summary

The program focuses on claims from an unnamed senior Pakistani military source about Pakistan’s role in the Saudi-led war against Yemen’s Ansar Allah (the Houthis). Pepe Escobar says the source told the channel that:

• No Pakistani aircraft had entered Yemeni airspace, and no Pakistani troops were deployed in Saudi Arabia’s Najran province near the Yemen border.
• Pakistani units were stationed in or around Mecca and Medina, remained under Pakistani command, and had received no orders to strike targets inside Yemen.
• Pakistan’s presence was defensive, not offensive. The source reportedly counted 110 American advisers, two Pakistani radar specialists, and two Turkish technical personnel supporting the Saudi operation.

Escobar and host Zulfiqar Ali reject reports by The New York Times and The Times of India that Pakistani aircraft were involved, arguing that the outlets lacked access to senior Pakistani decision-makers. Ali says the channel’s information came directly from people involved in making and carrying out policy. These sourcing claims are presented by the speakers and are not independently established in the subtitles.

Saudi Arabia and the Houthis

Larry Johnson argues that the United States encouraged the renewed Saudi-Houthi conflict as part of an effort to weaken Iran, based on what he describes as a mistaken view that the Houthis are Iranian proxies. He says the Houthis are politically independent and have inflicted severe damage on Saudi Arabia.

Johnson disputes reports of major advances by forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government, saying their advance was quickly reversed. He also claims Houthi attacks damaged a Saudi oil facility and four of the 13 pumping stations on the East–West pipeline, disrupting Saudi oil exports. The program does not independently verify these damage claims.

Johnson portrays Saudi Arabia as financially weakened and says infighting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prince Khalid could threaten the Saudi leadership.

Pakistan and Turkey’s role

The speakers say Pakistan and Turkey face domestic opposition to becoming directly involved in fighting the Houthis. Ali says Ansar Allah has asked Pakistan to mediate.

Escobar warns that if Pakistani forces move toward the Yemen border, the Houthis may consider them legitimate targets, making the situation especially dangerous.

Iran and the risk of escalation

Johnson says Israel could take action intended to provoke a wider Iranian response. He considers postponing US midterm elections through a coordinated national decision implausible because elections are administered by states.

He interprets Donald Trump’s reported position as ruling out a strike on Iran before the midterms, but not necessarily afterward. Johnson warns that a US attack would likely lead to further escalation rather than the collapse of Iran’s government or military.

Ali relays a separate conversation with an unnamed senior Iranian source, who reportedly claimed that Iran has direct intelligence on Washington and Tel Aviv and would respond to any offensive action with a surprise. The source allegedly said potential targets could include Israel, Gulf states, or US naval assets.

The program closes with warnings that Saudi, Israeli, or US actions could widen the conflict.

Presenters and contributors

• Zulfiqar Ali (host)
• Pepe Escobar
• Larry Johnson