This blog was started for a few reasons. We both have been studying Yemen for years, and as the country has risen in importance, the quality of discussion has declined. We wanted to contradict some other individuals, blogs and commentators who have no experience in Yemen or with Arabic, and who turn the facts to fit their opinions. We feel that presenting a thoughtful and nuanced discussion of Yemeni affairs, based in knowledge of its history and culture is in the best interest of all. That said, this is not an academic blog, and provides a lighter tone than our other publications, and also allows us to indulge our unhealthy interests in medieval swords and mysterious islands that color Yemeni history.

Enjoy.


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Sometimes you can't catch a break

Well it should come as no surprise to many who read this blog on a regular basis, but June has not been a good month for Yemen - a suicide in Guantanamo, kidnappings and now a plane crash. Yemen usually doesn't make the news for good reasons - no stories of al-Zubayri's moving poetry or why al-Hamdani considered Nuqum best for sword blades.

But the anecdote from the opening of this piece by Rebecca Harris that appeared on Foreign Policy's family of blogs this morning gives a bit of a snapshot of the difficulties Yemen can sometimes face.

(Thanks to Nate for the link)
Posted by Gregory at 11:28 PM

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