Q&A
Christopher Boucek
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Source: Getty
In The Media
Unrest Explodes in Yemen
Yemen’s President Saleh has indicated that he is ready to relinquish power. It is important that the United States, its European partners, and Saudi Arabia assist Yemen during its critical transition period.
Published on Mar 25, 2011
Source: MSNBC
The U.S. policy focus on Yemen has been largely driven by terrorism and security issues. Speaking on MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan Show, Carnegie’s Christopher Boucek explained that “al-Qaeda has been the lens through which we view Yemen.” Yet Yemen is facing a host of systemic challenges that need to be addressed. The country suffers from chronic unemployment, corruption, a failing economy, and a population that is expected to double in twenty years. “Everything that could go wrong in Yemen is going wrong and focusing only on security ignores all the other instability,” argued Boucek. With Yemen’s President Saleh indicating that he is ready to relinquish power, it is important that the United States, its European partners, and Saudi Arabia assist Yemen during this transition period and not solely focus on counter-terrorism issues.
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.
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