Q&A
Christopher Boucek
{
"authors": [
"Christopher Boucek"
],
"type": "legacyinthemedia",
"centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
],
"collections": [],
"englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"programAffiliation": "MEP",
"programs": [
"Middle East"
],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"Middle East",
"Yemen"
],
"topics": [
"Security",
"Foreign Policy"
]
}
Source: Getty
In The Media
Yemen: Terrorism's Newest Front Line?
Yemen’s multiple economic and security problems transcend the threat posed by al-Qaeda. Without immediate involvement on the part of the international community to address Yemen’s many crises, the country risks becoming a failed state.
Published on Jan 18, 2010
Source: The Agenda with Steve Paikin
Following the failed Christmas day attack on a Northwest airlines flight, the international community has begun to increasingly focus on terrorism emanating from Yemen. Yet Yemen is facing much larger systemic problems. According to Christopher Boucek, “Yemen is facing a tremendous confluence of crises, including economic, human security, unemployment, corruption, and hard security challenges.” Coupled with the rapid depletion of its water and oil resources, the situation in Yemen is quickly deteriorating.
On the security front, Yemen is facing a civil war in the north, a secessionist movement in the south, and a resurgent al-Qaeda that already has a long history of operations in the country. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is an organization with regional aspirations that has the ability to perform terrorist attacks inside or outside of the country. Facing this threat is an immediate counter-terrorism imperative. Nonetheless, “al-Qaeda will not be the downfall of Yemen. It is all of the governance and economic challenges that will bring Yemen down,” notes Boucek.
At this point, the American government and the international community have no choice but to engage in Yemen. This involvement requires a long-term strategy to build Yemeni capacity and the strength of the government's central authority. Boucek suggests, “If we wait six months or twelve months, it will be too late for Yemen.”
About the Author
Christopher Boucek
Former Associate, Middle East Program
Boucek was an associate in the Carnegie Middle East Program where his research focused on security challenges in the Arabian Peninsula and Northern Africa.
- Yemen After Saleh’s Return and Awlaki’s Exit
- Rivals—Iran vs. Saudi ArabiaQ&A
Christopher Boucek, Karim Sadjadpour
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Europe
- The Fog of AI WarCommentary
In Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran, AI warfare has come to dominate, with barely any oversight or accountability. Europe must lead the charge on the responsible use of new military technologies.
Raluca Csernatoni
- How to Join the EU in Three Easy StepsCommentary
Montenegro and Albania are frontrunners for EU enlargement in the Western Balkans, but they can’t just sit back and wait. To meet their 2030 accession ambitions, they must make a strong positive case.
Dimitar Bechev, Iliriana Gjoni
- Taking the Pulse: Can NATO Survive the Iran War?Commentary
Donald Trump has repeatedly bashed NATO and European allies, threatening to annex Canada and Greenland and deploring their lack of enthusiasm for his war of choice in Iran. Is this latest round of abuse the final straw?
Rym Momtaz, ed.
- On NATO, Trump Should Embrace France Instead of Bashing ItCommentary
Donald Trump’s repudiation of NATO goes against the Make America Great Again vision of a U.S.-centered foreign policy. If the goal is to preserve the alliance by boosting Europe’s commitments, leaning into France’s vision is the most America First way forward.
Rym Momtaz
- Europe Doesn’t Like War—for Good ReasonsCommentary
The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are existential threats to Europe as a peace project. Leaders and citizens alike must reaffirm their solidarity to face up to today’s multifaceted challenges.
Marc Pierini
