Publication

Despite the dramatic attempted Christmas day bombing, a resurgent al-Qaeda in Yemen must be seen primarily within its local context. The key external actor in Yemen is Saudi Arabia: All paths out of Yemen’s current woes go through Riyadh. An overtly military intervention in Yemen would be counterproductive; instead the US and Europe would be better placed to address the long-standing grievances and political deadlock which have weakened the state and strengthened insurgency.