Pouring Fuel on the Fire: The United States’ Counterterrorism Efforts in Yemen — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

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Pouring Fuel on the Fire: The United States’ Counterterrorism Efforts in Yemen

Name: Abby Roberts
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Northfield, MN
Faculty Sponsor: Jeffrey Roberg
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Senior thesis
Funding: N/A

Abstract

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since the beginning of 2015 and the United States has been conducting counterterrorism activities there and in the region concurrently. This paper seeks to gain insight into the efficacy of United States counterterrorism efforts in Yemen against the threat of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a terrorist organization widely considered to be one of the biggest threats to the U.S. This study is an examination of the current crisis and activities of AQAP in Yemen and their effects on the success of U.S. counterterrorism efforts against AQAP. This paper analyses the current state of U.S. counterterrorism efforts within Yemen, AQAP’s evolution, and civilian reactions to U.S. actions in Yemen. While nearly eradicated in the early 2000s, AQAP has managed to regain most of its membership despite facing constant military opposition from the U.S. and its allies. The conflict has decimated the population and left regions of Yemen vulnerable to taking. AQAP has been successfully evolving in response to U.S. efforts and maintains strongholds throughout Yemen despite U.S. opposition. U.S. counterterrorism efforts in Yemen are no longer effective given the civil war and are contributing to the reemergence of AQAP.

Poster file