Now that Yemen is front and center in the minds of U.S. national security experts and the American public alike, it’s time for a serious reassessment of our military, diplomatic and economic development assistance to the poorest nation in the Middle East. Some threats must be confronted militarily, but U.S. strategy in Yemen must take into consideration the wide range of factors that threaten Yemen’s already tenuous political and economic stability. …
During a recent trip to the capital of Sana’a in November, I spoke with businessmen and civil society activists who worry about what will happen as the end of President Saleh’s term of office approaches in 2013. … In this precarious environment—without a peaceful transition of power—the country could deteriorate even further. To avoid such a situation, the right government and civil institutions must be in place to ensure a process where the rights of citizens are respected and the building blocks for a better economic future are clearly being put in place. …
Investing much needed U.S. assistance in good governance, anti-corruption efforts and economic reform alongside military assistance is our best chance at enhancing the long-term stability of Yemen and preventing radicalization. … But foreign assistance is just one side of the equation. The other side is the Yemeni leadership. … Ultimately, the responsibility rests not with the U.S. and the international community, but rather with the Yemenis themselves. Access the full analysis>>
