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 Endowment for International Peace
- Recasting American Power in Latin AmericaPaper
Washington needs to recognize that influence in the Western Hemisphere comes from presence, delivery, and reliability. It also must recognize that while the United States remains the key external actor, it no longer operates in a permissive environment and cannot presume deference from regional players who have other options, namely China.
Juan S. Gonzalez
- Have U.S.-Belarusian Negotiations Stalled?Commentary
Minsk clearly expected the dialogue with Washington to yield more results, in particular the lifting of EU sanctions and permission to export potash.
Artyom Shraibman
- A Black Sea Truce Is About Global Food Security, TooCommentary
A summer of escalation in the Black Sea has hurt Ukraine economically and is exacerbating world food security. A truce is needed—as is a broader reframing of Europe’s Ukraine strategy.
Thomas de Waal
- Three Ruptures and the End of Pax Americana in the Middle EastCommentary
As the U.S. stumbles in its war with Iran, we are likely to see an acceleration of its disengagement from the region.
Michael Young
- Who Puts Guardrails on AI?Commentary
Why governance of rapidly evolving technology will be distributed and complex.
Stewart Patrick, Scott Singer
