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
The Threat from Yemen
While the rise of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has focused international attention on Yemen, the country’s economic and demographic challenges pose a greater threat to its stability than al-Qaeda does.
Published on Jan 3, 2010
Source: Al-Jazeera
Please Download Flash Plugin
After the January 2009 merger of the Yemeni and Saudi al-Qaeda affiliates of al-Qaeda into a single group called al-Qaeda in the Arabian Penisula (AQAP), the terrorist threat from Yemen has grown exponentially. There have been numerous attacks planned by AQAP, most notably the Christmas day bombing attempt on a U.S. aircraft and several operations in Saudi Arabia. While the United States is now investing in efforts to curtail AQAP’s activities, the real challenge is to help Yemen with the manifold economic and demographic problems it faces. According to Christopher Boucek, “It is not al-Qaeda that will doom Yemen. Rather its failing economy, rapidly depleting water and oil reserves, and massive population growth are the main challenges the country faces.”
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 Endowment for International Peace
- The Iran War’s Climate, Environmental, and Human Security FalloutArticle
Understanding the climatic pain points is necessary for policymakers hoping to minimize the war’s negative environmental consequences.
Alejandro Martin Rodriguez, Joy Arkeh, Sarah Yerkes
- On AI, Cairo Plays China and the U.S. Off Against Each OtherCommentary
Huawei pushed hard to enter the Egyptian data centers market, until the Americans made a better offer.
Angie Omar
- 9/11 at 25: A Reading List for Understanding the War on TerrorCommentary
The books, podcasts, and films that explain the world it made.
Andrew Leber
- The Fallout of the U.S.–Canada Trade War Won’t Be Limited to North AmericaCommentary
U.S. trading partners in Asia are closely watching the dispute for signs of how it may affect their own interests.
Barbara Weisel
- Europe Fails to Learn the Lessons from CeutaCommentary
The aftermath of the Ceuta crisis shows Europe has drawn the wrong lessons. Rather than doubling down on failed migration policies, the EU needs to address the underlying roots of such episodes.
Richard Youngs
