Democracy in Yemen after September 11, 2001: The implications of American involvement

September 11, 2001 changed not only the United States, but also the world. The Middle East has felt the impact more than any other part of the world, in particular, Yemen, a small country on the Arabian Peninsula that has become the epicenter of American counterterrorism efforts post-9/11. How has American involvement affected Yemeni domestic politics? An examination of the problem reveals that the implications of American intervention, and the wider unintended consequences from the invasion of Iraq have profoundly affected the political economy of Yemen, mirroring the conditions that preceded the civil war three decades ago. American intervention has led to a decrease in democratization and increased the likelihood of civil war, as well as a potential increase in the radicalization of Islamist elements.