Yemen

In Brief

One of the poorest countries in the Arab world, Yemen serves as a refuge for global terrorist networks, including al Qaeda. Food and water shortages, high unemployment and widespread violence in the context of a weak central government and a southern secessionist movement have provided an ideal breeding ground for extremist activity and a unique challenge in the fight against terrorism.

Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri at the Saudi interior ministry of the most wanted terror suspects. (Reuters)

Opinion

Ibrahim al Asiri: al Qaeda's 'Genius' Bomb Maker

May 8, 2012, Bruce Riedel

The latest foiled al Qaeda bomb plot to put a suicide bomber aboard a U.S. bound jetliner demonstrates the skill and resourcefulness of American intelligence organizations. However, as Bruce Riedel explains, it also demonstrates that the U.S. has an enemy in Yemen that is determined to blast their way into American history.

Recent Activity

Refine by: Middle East and North Africa | Terrorism | The Arab Awakening and Middle East Unrest | Islamic World

In the News

The problem [of terrorist groups in Yemen] for the U.S. is this really is a race against time. We've been lucky because AQAP [Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula] has gotten a bomb on a plane twice. ... This is a race to see if they can pull off a strike on the U.S. homeland or if we can take out AQAP's top leadership.
May 23, 2012 , Bruce Riedel, U.S. News & World Report
In the News

[I]n Yemen, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is growing, getting more powerful, recruiting more assets and taking advantage of the fact that Yemen is essentially the Humpty Dumpty of the Arabian Peninsula — it's falling apart, broken.
May 9, 2012 , Bruce Riedel, CNN
Past Event

Pakistan and the Terror Threat: One Year after the Death of Bin Laden

April 26, 2012
Opinion | The National

Focus on Al Qaeda in Yemen Magnifies Chronic Instability

April 25, 2012, Ibrahim Sharqieh
Article | The National

Focus on Al Qaeda in Yemen Magnifies Chronic Instability

April 25, 2012
Paper

What Focusing on Drones and Detention Misses

April 20, 2012, Kevin Watkins and Rebecca Winthrop
Opinion | The National

From Protests to Politics, a New Way Forward for Yemen

March 16, 2012, Ibrahim Sharqieh
Past Event

The Arab Revolutions, Political Islam, and Democratic Transitions

February 29, 2012
Blog Post

Yemen's Transition of Power

January 9, 2012, Ibrahim Sharqieh | comments
Article | The National Interest

Will Yemen's Peace Agreement Hold?

December 22, 2011, Ibrahim Sharqieh