Atlantic Council

February 11, 2013 marked two years since the popular uprising began to oust former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who stepped down from power in November 2011. While many formidable challenges remain, there is no doubt that conditions in the country have improved and a sense of normalcy has returned to the streets of Sana’a. Since President Abd Hadi Mansour assumed the presidency in February 2012, he has taken some difficult decisions to begin implementing the transition process according to the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) deal agreed upon by the ruling and opposition parties. The GCC deal sets forth a two-year transition period which the new government must launch an inclusive national dialogue, restructure the military forces, oversee the drafting of a new constitution, and hold new parliamentary elections.

President Hadi established the Preparatory Committee for the National Dialogue, which includes representatives from all key stakeholder groups, and the Committee has spent months preparing the foundation for the Dialogue, which is now slated to start on March 18, 2013. The dialogue is intended to address the most important political issues that were not resolved with the GCC deal, including the Southern issue, inclusion of the Houthi movement, representation of women and youth, and revision of the electoral system.

President Hadi has made significant headway, but governs with a coalition government that is inherently divided and has to navigate with Saleh who continues to play a formidable role behind the scenes. Although Saleh formally left his position of power, he retains leadership in the General People’s Congress party, and his family members still control important military and political positions. The ability of the President Hadi and his coalition government to make progress will determine the prospects of genuine political change in Yemen. With a looming economic crisis, lack of security in many parts of the country, widespread child malnutrition and food shortages, and high unemployment, the challenges are daunting. Yemen will need considerable US and international assistance and support to survive, let alone transform into a secure and genuine democracy.

The Yemen Policy Initiative

The Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council and the Project on Middle East Democracy launched the Yemen Policy Initiative in the spring of 2012 to provide a platform for dialogue and opportunities for advocacy to advance a more coherent and comprehensive US policy toward Yemen.

The Yemen policy initiative seeks to generate informed discussion with policymakers, raising the degree of knowledge and understanding in the Administration and on Capitol Hill through targeted briefings, and utilizing print, electronic, and broadcast media to effectively carry policy messages. The primary objective is to advance concrete policy recommendations to support Yemen through this transitional political process, taking into consideration the need to secure US national security interests.  

Publications and Blog Posts

• Yemen's Democratic Revolution, One Year Later - Danya Greenfield - November 29, 2012
• Rallying for Yemen in Riyadh - Danya Greenfield - September 4, 2012
• Yemen's Transition Hangs in the Balance - August 30, 2012
• Reversing the Anti-American sway in Yemen - Danya Greenfield, Foreign Policy - August 16, 2012
• Danya Greenfield in Al-Monitor: Yemen's Ticking Time Bomb - July 11, 2012
• Danya Greenfield and Other Experts Write Open Letter to President Obama on Yemen - June 26, 2012
• Yemeni Youth Condemn Drones, Call for Halt to Saleh Clan Support - Danya Greenfield, New Atlanticist - June 5, 2012
• Yemen’s Election Might Matter  - Danya Greenfield, Foreign Policy - February 21, 2012
• With Syria, Don’t Repeat Yemen Mistake - Danya Greenfield, New Atlanticist - February 1, 2012
• The US Can’t Afford to Pass on Yemen – Danya Greenfield, New Atlanticist - November 14, 2011

Events

• Roundtable Discussion on US Policy in Yemen with Greg Johnsen - December 3, 2012
• Looking Forward in Yemen: Challenges, Opportunities, and the International Community's Role - October 25, 2012
• Navigating Yemen's Transition - October 10, 2012
• Yemen's Transition: The Way Forward - September 28, 2012
• Roundtable with Yemeni Parliamentarians - September 19, 2012
• Yemen's Humanitarian Crisis: Impact on the Political Transition - August 29, 2012
• Roundtable Discussion with Mr. Munir Daair: Yemen in Transition - May 14, 2012
• Yemen Policy Group Roundtable - March 9, 2012

Media Appearances

• Danya Greenfield was featured on the Voice of America program, “Encounter”, to discuss Yemen and the recent Al Qaeda attack - May 25, 2012
• Danya Greenfield appeared on Voice of America's "Encounter" radio program to discuss progress and challenges for Yemen and Bahrain on the anniversary of their democratic uprisings - February 27, 2012

Media Mentions

• Yemen needs fewer drones, more aid, [Devex, 6/29/12]
• Drone policy in Yemen unsustainable: experts, [The Daily Star, 6/29/12]
• خبراء: السياسة الأميركية في اليمن تركز فقط على مكافحة الإرهاب وشن غارات بطائرات دون طيار, [Mareb Press (Arabic), 6/28/12]
• US too focused on terrorism in Yemen, experts warn Obama, [Gulf News, 6/28/12]
• المصدر أونلاين» ينشر خارطة طريق قدمها 27 خبيراً دولياً للرئيس اExperts warn Obama: US Yemen policy too skewed to terrorism, [Middle East Online, 6/28/12]
• لأمريكي بشأن التعامل مع اليمن, [Al-Masdar (Arabic), 6/28/12]
• Obama’s Yemen policy counterproductive: American experts, [PressTV, 6/28/12]
• US Yemen policy too skewed to terrorism: Experts, [The Sunday Times, 6/28/12]
• The Guardian’s Middle East Live Blog, [The Guardian, 6/27/12] 
• Letter to President Obama on Yemen: More Aid, Fewer Drones, Please, [Informed Comment, 6/27/12]
• Middle East experts urge changes to Obama’s Yemen policies, [The Cable, 6/27/12]
• U.S. Dangerously Short-Sighted on Yemen, Experts Warn, [IPS, 6/26/12]
• Foreign Policy Initiative Overnight Brief, [FPI, 6/26/12]