Yemen on the Edge

{
  "authors": [
    "Christopher Boucek"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Arab Awakening"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "MEP",
  "programs": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Middle East",
    "Yemen",
    "Gulf"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Economy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Yemen on the Edge

As international attention remains focused on the protests calling for the removal of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the country’s manifold economic problems threaten Yemen and the region.

By Christopher Boucek

Published on Jun 11, 2011

Source: CSPAN's Washington Journal

The Arab Spring has had a profound effect on Yemen, Carnegie’s Christopher Boucek explained on CSPAN’s Washington Journal. Following the protests that broke out in Tunisia and Egypt, youth protesters and civil society activists took to the street in Yemen to demand greater accountability, an end to corruption, elections, and greater economic and social opportunities. Eventually the official political opposition parties, the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP), and elites outside the government joined the protesters on the street, Boucek said. “The one issue uniting these disparate groups is a call for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to leave power and a transformation of the old regime,” explained Boucek.

However, Boucek warned that while international attention focuses on the political protests, Yemen’s struggling economy is being overlooked. If drastic measures aren’t taken to address Yemen’s manifold economic problems, Boucek said, it could lead to disastrous consequences.

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 Middle East Yemen Gulf

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
The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Politics
China’s political future will be shaped between now and next October. As the Communist Party enters its intense “campaign season” to prepare for a major political transition in 2027, reading Beijing's actions and responses may become more difficult as domestic politics weigh on its behavior more than usual.
Damien Ma
Commentary
Emissary
Central Asia Wants U.S. Investments. It Is Less Sure About U.S. Conditions.
Rubio’s recent visit brought welcome attention, but more capital requires governance changes that may be a hard sell for regional governments.
Jennifer B. Murtazashvili
Article
Can China Turn Its Small Modular Reactor Ambitions into Commercial Reality?
China has showcased its engineering prowess with small modular reactor demonstration projects. But turning these technological achievements into commercial success will be a greater challenge.
Tong Zhao
Commentary
Emissary
The Mecca Pact and the Limits of American Guarantees
Why Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are joining forces on regional security.
Alper Coşkun, Amr Hamzawy
Paper
The Political Economy of Protests in Iran
Protests in Iran follow a similar pattern: Economic grievances turn into political protests that spread nationwide. But increased state repression has begun to shift the arrangement.
Eric Lob

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Politics

China’s political future will be shaped between now and next October. As the Communist Party enters its intense “campaign season” to prepare for a major political transition in 2027, reading Beijing's actions and responses may become more difficult as domestic politics weigh on its behavior more than usual.

Damien Ma

Commentary

Emissary

Central Asia Wants U.S. Investments. It Is Less Sure About U.S. Conditions.

Rubio’s recent visit brought welcome attention, but more capital requires governance changes that may be a hard sell for regional governments.

Jennifer B. Murtazashvili

Article

Can China Turn Its Small Modular Reactor Ambitions into Commercial Reality?

China has showcased its engineering prowess with small modular reactor demonstration projects. But turning these technological achievements into commercial success will be a greater challenge.

Tong Zhao

Commentary

Emissary

The Mecca Pact and the Limits of American Guarantees

Why Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are joining forces on regional security.

Alper Coşkun, Amr Hamzawy

People gather during protest on January 8, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

Paper

The Political Economy of Protests in Iran

Protests in Iran follow a similar pattern: Economic grievances turn into political protests that spread nationwide. But increased state repression has begun to shift the arrangement.

Eric Lob