Yemen: Current Conditions and U.S. Relations

Publication Date: January 2007

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

Type:

Abstract:

Yemen, the only republic on the Arabian Peninsula, is the poorest country in that area. A presidential election deemed relatively fair was held in 2006 with President Ali Abdullah Salih winning reelection with 77% of the popular vote. Nevertheless, democratic institutions remain fragile. U.S.-Yemeni relations have generally been good, though marred occasionally by policy differences over Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Yemen has played a cooperative role in U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula, though overall U.S. economic and military assistance to Yemen remains modest. This report summarizes Yemen's domestic situation, foreign relations, and ties with the United States. It will be updated as significant developments occur.