The Confluence of Crises in Yemen

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In The Media

The Confluence of Crises in Yemen

Yemen faces a host of economic and security challenges. In order to stabilize the country, a proper balance of short term counterterrorism measures and long term development assistance is needed.

By Christopher Boucek

Published on Jan 5, 2010

Source: BBC's World News America

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Yemen faces a unique confluence of crises, with a failing economy that is running out of oil and water, 35 percent unemployment, massive population growth and a lack of cohesive central authority to govern and provide services to the whole country. Al-Qaeda has taken root in the areas beyond the reach of the Yemeni government. While the international community has long known of these multiple economic and security crises in Yemen, it is only now that serious attention is being paid to the country.

In order to face these challenges, Yemen is in dire need of both short and long term support from the United States and the international community. In the short term, intelligence sharing and technical cooperation are needed to help perform counter-terrorism measures. However, “it is not al-Qaeda that will doom Yemen. In order to stabilize the country, economic, resource, and human security issues must be addressed,” notes Christopher Boucek.

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.

Recent Work

Q&A
Yemen After Saleh’s Return and Awlaki’s Exit
- Christopher Boucek
Q&A
Rivals—Iran vs. Saudi Arabia
- Christopher Boucek, Karim Sadjadpour

Political Reform Economy Security Foreign Policy Middle East Yemen

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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