Terrorism in Yemen

{
  "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"
  ]
}

In The Media

Terrorism in Yemen

The Saudi and Yemeni affiliates of al-Qaeda have merged into a single regional group and undertaken a series of attacks on U.S. interests from Yemen, taking advantage of the increasing instability of the Yemeni government and making the situation in Yemen a much higher priority for U.S. policy makers than it was a few months ago.

By Christopher Boucek

Published on Dec 28, 2009

Source: KCBS News Interviews and Analysis

Al-Qaeda’s Saudi Arabian and Yemeni affiliates have merged into a regional al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, and Saudi militants are fleeing to Yemen, where national instability and large amounts of ungoverned territory create a space for extremists to train. Carnegie's Christopher Boucek discusses the distinct tribal culture of Yemen, and its links with the Horn of Africa. Caught in a perfect storm of economic, political, social, and environmental challenges, the Yemeni government may not have the ability to overcome its numerous problems. The United States needs to find a way to help the Yemeni government end its war in Sa'da so that it can focus its attention on fighting Al-Qaeda.

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

Security 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.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Strategic Europe
Taking the Pulse: Enough with the Annual NATO Summits, Already?
Over the past ten years, NATO has held almost as many summits as it did during the entirety of the Cold War. Are they still useful, or is it time to stop holding annual meetings?
Rym Momtaz, ed.
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
What Should We Take From Andrey Melnichenko’s Essay in the Economist?
Andrey Melnichenko’s essay offers no answer to the fundamental question of how, under any kind of negotiated settlement, Europe can protect itself from the Russian ressentiment that is inevitable in all scenarios except for an outright victory for Putin.
Leonid Bershidsky
Commentary
How NATO Became Anchored in the Black Sea
As Russia's war on Ukraine drags on, NATO is expanding its footprint in the Black Sea. Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria are upgrading their fleets and deepening trilateral cooperation.
Dimitar Bechev
Commentary
Emissary
Nolan’s "The Odyssey" Has a Colonialism Problem
Despite Morocco’s hopes that its film industry would reap rewards, the blockbuster’s success will be tainted by controversy surrounding filming in occupied Western Sahara.
Sarah Yerkes
Paper
Securing America’s Near Abroad: Recalibrating U.S. Policy Toward Haiti
Helping to stabilize Haiti is in the United States’ national interest and can be done by making wise use of various foreign policy tools in addition to supporting international security forces.
Christopher Shell

Terrorism in Yemen

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Strategic Europe

Taking the Pulse: Enough with the Annual NATO Summits, Already?

Over the past ten years, NATO has held almost as many summits as it did during the entirety of the Cold War. Are they still useful, or is it time to stop holding annual meetings?

Rym Momtaz, ed.

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

What Should We Take From Andrey Melnichenko’s Essay in the Economist?

Andrey Melnichenko’s essay offers no answer to the fundamental question of how, under any kind of negotiated settlement, Europe can protect itself from the Russian ressentiment that is inevitable in all scenarios except for an outright victory for Putin.

Leonid Bershidsky

Commentary

How NATO Became Anchored in the Black Sea

As Russia's war on Ukraine drags on, NATO is expanding its footprint in the Black Sea. Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria are upgrading their fleets and deepening trilateral cooperation.

Dimitar Bechev

Commentary

Emissary

Nolan’s "The Odyssey" Has a Colonialism Problem

Despite Morocco’s hopes that its film industry would reap rewards, the blockbuster’s success will be tainted by controversy surrounding filming in occupied Western Sahara.

Sarah Yerkes

Paper

Securing America’s Near Abroad: Recalibrating U.S. Policy Toward Haiti

Helping to stabilize Haiti is in the United States’ national interest and can be done by making wise use of various foreign policy tools in addition to supporting international security forces.

Christopher Shell