First a bit of realism: "we", the West, are not going to fix the Middle East. We don’t see it the way people in the region see it, and we certainly don’t understand it the way they do. In 2003 I saw for myself the harm that such hubris had, with the almost wilful neglect of any serious planning for the aftermath of invading Iraq. The solutions to the region’s problems must come primarily from the regional powers themselves. In particular, rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran must exchange their proxy wars, of which Yemen is but one, for diplomatic engagement. But there are ways we – the West – can and should help. And equally importantly, there are ways in which we can avoid making things worse.