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05 Jun 2011 21:49

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U.S., World: The U.S. faces terrorism, diplomacy threats amid Yemen instability

  • We would be shortsighted to think this doesn’t pose short-term national security concerns. The likelihood is that [al-Qaeda operatives] will be raising their heads.
  • Frank J. Cilluffo, the head of, George Washington University’s Homeland Security Policy Institute • Describing the danger that the Saleh’s transition away from Yemeni leadership means for the War on Terror. A key terror cell — al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula — could cause serious issues by taking advantage of the instability in the region, while Yemeni opposition leaders deny the group’s existence at all. (Which is troubling because two separate attacks have been tied to the group since late 2009 — including the underwear bomber.) Another way this could force the U.S. into a precarious position: Saleh was an ally of the U.S., and an unstable transition could force diplomats to scramble to make up for a transition that doesn’t favor Americans. A complicated issue all around — and one with difficult answers. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Jun 2011 11:50

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World: Yemen celebrates Saleh’s departure, but not without reservations

  • Sure, he’s gone, but it wasn’t peaceful: Last night, crowds flared up in celebratory tones over the departure of Ali Abdullah Saleh, who left his post under unsatisfactory conditions after he was violently injured during a raid on his palace. The conditions that led to his departure (after he spent more than 32 years in power) have led some activists to be a little less-willing to celebrate it on its own terms. “Our revolution was hijacked by the tribes,” noted Yemeni journalist and activist Shatha al-Harazi. “How can we establish a civil state if tribes still wield so much power? They forced Saleh out with weapons and we failed to force him out with peace.” source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

01 Jun 2011 17:33

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World: Violence flares in Yemen after Saleh refuses to step down

  • 41 left dead in clashes: The violence flared up as a result of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh once again refused to cede power after 33 years — a decision that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has criticized. The end result caused last week’s ceasefire to break down, leading Saleh to reinforce his troops and causing bloody street battles — it’s a situation that some diplomats describe as “worse than Libya,” if you can believe that. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 May 2011 17:54

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World: Yemen: Is the evasive Saleh transition deal about to happen?

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Apr 2011 16:44

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World: Did Yemen’s Saleh actually sign that agreement to step down?

  • NO guess who’s suddenly having reservations? source
  • » Protesters aren’t really into it, either: For whatever reason, the Yemeni leader has started to waver on his agreement last week to leave office in exchange for his immunity, and has refused to sign it. Yemeni protesters want Ali Abdullah Saleh to be tried for both corruption and the deaths of protesters, which currently number around 142. If Saleh doesn’t agree to step down, it could be a huge setback for negotiations (obviously).
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Apr 2011 11:46

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World: Yemen: Obama backs Saleh’s resignation, but protesters don’t

  • yeah … Yesterday, Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh cut a deal ensuring that he would leave office in the next 30 days — in exchange for his immunity from prosecution. The plan, by the way, was supported by the Obama administration.
  • … but However, this isn’t good enough for protesters, who plan to escalate their opposition. They’re reportedly upset that the opposition brokered the deal for what they feel may be political gain that ignores the protesters’ demands. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Apr 2011 13:49

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World: Yemen’s Ali Abdullah Saleh stepping down in immunity deal

  • President Saleh welcomed the proposal and has accepted it. Though President Saleh has constitutional rights to stay in power, he is willing to leave office willingly.
  • Yemeni presidential aide Tariq Shami • Revealing that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh accepted the deal we wrote about earlier in the week to ensure his departure. He’ll be out in 30 days. Saleh has been in office for 32 years, and will leave with immunity from prosecution. So, another one down, guys. Who’s next? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

20 Apr 2011 10:13

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World: Yemen’s possible plan to transfer power: Two months of transition

  • 30 days After the deal was made, longstanding President Ali Abdullah Saleh would agree to step down from power, in exchange for immunity from criminal charges for him, his family and his aides. This is a good idea! Wowza!
  • 60 days Around 30 days after that, fresh elections would be held. Saleh would give his power to a caretaker government that would shepherd things until the election. It’s not clear, though, if Saleh would go for this well-constructed plan. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Mar 2011 23:53

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World: Yemen: Ali Abdullah Saleh’s losing friends faster than MySpace

  • Friday broke our hearts; yesterday opened our eyes. We saw people of our generation killed with head shots and chest wounds. We don’t want that pain again.
  • DC-based Yemeni spokesperson Mohammed al-Basha • Describing the pain he felt over the violence in his country, pushed forth by president Ali Abdullah Saleh. The bloodshed in particular pushed many in the government over the edge. While many other government figures resigned yesterday, al-Basha hasn’t. Rather, he says he seems himself as a “neutral” civil servant. Saleh, meanwhile, threatened civil war at the same time he was offering an olive branch to the people he was threatening civil war against. Follow that? Neither did we. Clarity is not Mr. Saleh’s strong suit. Nor is human rights, apparently. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Mar 2011 14:15

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World: Yemeni Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar defects

  • Top Yemeni General defects: Major General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar broke with the Saleh government in Yemen today, following a recent surge of violence in that’s been said to have claimed more than fifty civilian lives. The twist? Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar is also the half brother of President Saleh, and has decided to send troops to guard the civilian protesters. While the Yemeni population seems appreciative of this new ally, there are concerns about the General’s close history with Saleh, and his consequent military operations against northern Shiites, now a core of support for the uprising (some want him prosecuted for war crimes). This also makes it likely that a post-Saleh era in Yemen will be ushered in through military rule, which can make people a little nervous. (Trigger warning: Some graphic images in the clip.) source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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