RPT-Saudi Arabia's Yemen gamble may define its regional role for years
 

* Success would establish Riyadh as leader of Sunni states * A win may embolden it against Iran * But failure could damage alliances in future ventures * New monarch's public image risks being dented * Graphic: http://link.reuters.com/wem44w By Angus McDowall RIYADH, March 27 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's campaign to stop the Houthis from ruling over Yemen could define its role in the Middle East for years and shape its regional struggle with the rebels' ally Iran. Success would establish Riyadh as de facto leader of the region's Sunni states it has pulled together in a complex armed operation, and embolden it to pursue a more assertive stance against what it sees as the expansionist ambitions of its arch rival Shi'ite Iran in Iraq, Syria, Leba**n and Bahrain. "This campaign has confirmed that Saudi Arabia is the heavyweight power in the region. "If this thing fails, Iran is going to be much more emboldened and in this region there's usually a zero-sum game between Tehran and Riyadh.

أكثر...