Arabia not so Felix: a brewing war in Yemen?

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Monday, November 23, 2009 - 7:30 PM Share

Exum and Fontaine, the Skywalker and Solo of CNAS, tell the grim tale, warning that:

[W]hile Americans may pay little attention to Yemen, al-Qaeda leadership devotes much more: Internet message boards linked to al-Qaeda are encouraging fighters from across the Islamic world to flock to Yemen.

(Meanwhile, did you know there is an online encyclopedia of Star Wars called Wookiepedia? Who you calling a Wookie?)

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EXPLORE:AL QAEDA, MILITARY

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STARBUCK

8:33 PM ET

November 23, 2009

What's even more lame is that

What's even more lame is that some people have actually written detailed comparisons between Star Wars vehicles and modern rotary-wing aircraft on Wookiepedia. (Don't judge me)

My question is what happens to Af/Pak if Yemen becomes the new Af/Pak?

TYRTAIOS

9:35 PM ET

November 23, 2009

al-Qaeda & Huthis

True enough, though many in al-Qaeda have been flocking to Yemen, it should be differentiated that it's the Shi'a Huthis that are involved in the violence along the border with the Saudi Kingdom, and a reminder that Qaeda are Sunni Moslems.

And though not quite on topic, it might be further worth noting that although the Shi'a Huthis differ in their religious belief from the Iranian Shi’a, it seems logical that Iran's IRG may (and I say may) be providing limited assistance to them in an attempt to create diversion away from their own nuclear program, as well as being a general pain in the neck for the Kingdom.

In addition, though my mind may be running overtime, I would also remind everyone the Hajj is getting underway, and as the royal janitors of Mecca and Medina, any incident during the pilgrimage would be a huge embarrassment to the House of Saud, and would give Tehran considerable pleasure.

PETE

1:33 AM ET

November 24, 2009

Felix the Cat

Felix the Cat cartoons belong to an earlier period of national security challenges that included an increased advisory effort in Vietnam, the civil war in Laos, and the Cuban missile crisis.

Felix the cat,
The wonderful, wonderful cat,
Whenever he gets in a fix,
He reaches into his bag of tricks.
Felix the cat,
The wonderful, wonderful cat.
You'll laugh so much your sides will ache.
Your heart will go pit-a-pat,
Watching Felix the wonderful cat.

DAVID SUTTON

6:43 AM ET

November 24, 2009

The idea that is so troubling

The idea that is so troubling form their brief is how they note that back in 2003 when things looked good the US did what it seems to so often do, dis-engage and feel good about what is has achieved.

Lessons Learned - just because things quieten down is no reason to leave. That's when you ramp up the mil-mil and civ-civ cooperation, throw some more cash at good governance because the guys in charge are more stable then they have been before, and you lock in the trade agreements that will help move the country forward.

Or you can do what was done post Soviet defeat in Afghanistan, head home, have a drink, toast your success and watch as the crazies take control...again.

GRANT

1:52 PM ET

November 24, 2009

If I am ignorant on this one,

If I am ignorant on this one, I reject at least some of the blame. The news doesn't report on Yemen unless lots of people die (where 300 Yemeni civilians are equal to 1 American soldier), the think tanks write about whatever's big in the news, and publishers don't publish until something really big happens. Where are we supposed to go to find out who's who, what tribal/ethnic/religious/political factors are important, and what kind of history the country has?

GREGORY D. JOHNSEN

4:55 PM ET

November 24, 2009

Here is a Yemen blog that may

Here is a Yemen blog that may be of some help.

http://www.islamandinsurgencyinyemen.blogspot.com/

JUNGLE JIM

6:18 PM ET

November 24, 2009

The authors are advocating

The authors are advocating that the U.S. get involved in another Middle East country. From the extract:

"By committing to a comprehensive engagement plan, the authors argue that the United States can deny al-Qaeda a sanctuary, prevent regional instability, and secure vital U.S. interests. This will require a whole-of-government approach including economic incentives, diplomatic pressure, military assistance, and efforts to encourage political reconciliation."

I have heard this before. I say we give this one a pass.

GRANT

1:12 AM ET

November 25, 2009

We're already involved, and

We're already involved, and frankly I can't see how helping the current Yemeni government would hurt. As long as aid isn't overt and intrusive we can't be accused of manipulating them, Al Qaeda has been confirmed to be in the nation which can stop accusations similar to the ones after Iraq, and with careful help now we can perhaps get a stronger ally and as an added bonus make the seas a bit safer (Somali pirates have been known to target ships near Yemen).

TYRTAIOS

5:05 AM ET

November 25, 2009

Don't Get Too Involved

One needs to ask themselves what fascinates the U.S. with Yemen - is it because it occupies the southern strip of the Arabian Peninsula and controls the eastern side of the southern entrance to the Red Sea?

The bottom line: all we really care about is to have Salih become overly dependent on us to the point he'll cave-in and allow us to establish a military base there, most likely on Socotra Island.

Let's be careful about mixing the political and U.S. aid with the military side of the house.

TIMBERLAND

7:18 AM ET

December 11, 2009

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