The agreement includes leasing the Aden Container Terminal and the nearby Ma’alla Container Terminal. It completes an attempt to invest $220 million in further developing the port. DP World currently operates 46 terminals in addition to 13 new developments in the pipelines across 26 countries. It is attempting to grow Aden’s capacity from 700,000 to 1.5 million by 2012.

DP World is controlled by Dubai’s government. It became on of the world’s top container importers after its 6.9 million acquisition of Britain’s Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company in 2006. In terms of DP World’s role in the United States, despite the support of President Bush and as a result of fierce congressional opposition, DP World has yet to acquire the US part of the British acquisition .

This latest development demonstrates Yemen’s participation in international business in a way that will ideally boost its economy and make the state a greater player on the international scene. Moreover, the story is a further piece of evidence documenting Dubai’s increasing role as a leader specifically in the Middle East and how it is attempting to maintain control in key areas of international affairs. It will be interesting to document and trace how Dubai proceeds in acquiring power not only in the Middle East, but on a global scale.

Jenna Hootstein

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Yemen is already one of the poorest countries in the world and is facing a lot of internal problems in addition to the flood (a rebellion in the north, unrest in the south part of the country, and the threat of terrorism). The flood only added and escalated the increasing list of difficulties the nation is facing. It will be interesting to track how other nations respond to relief efforts and how the internal situation is affected by the effects of the flood. It seems as if a lot of cooperation on the domestic and international level will be needed in the days ahead.

Jenna Hootstein

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Yemen’s Deputy of Culture Ministry Sam al-Ahmar announced that Yemen will participate in the 27th Annual International Book Fair. The book fair will take place in Sharjah from October 17 through November 7, 2008.

Approximately 400 pieces of literature from the most prominent Yemeni authors were selected to be part of the fair. All books selected highlight the individuality and uniqueness of Yemeni culture.

The fact that so many books were available for selection illustrates how much the Yemeni people have to say about their culture and the way they live. The fair highlights the literary talent that exists within Yemen’s boundaries and provides an appropriate means to share with other nations information and aspects of Yemen’s cultural heritage.

Jenna Hootstein

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It has been claimed that the UN Secretary General ordered UN offices in Yemen to keep all essential employees at home and to send non-essential employees out of Yemen, relocating in Egypt or Jordan. This order comes in the aftermath of al-Qaeda sending a threatening message to the UN’s office in Sana’a. Given the recent bombing of the UN in Algeria, Yemen is taking this threat very seriously .

Jenna Hootstein

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Al-Ahrabi discussed the challenges Yemen is currently facing, including over-population, water scarcity, and rising poverty rates amidst the international food crisis. The Deputy Premier discussed the importance of strengthening higher education, technical education and health services as top priorities in order to meet and face the challenges ahead. Henrietta Fore reviewed the status and success of the programs USAID has implemented thus far throughout Yemen, in areas such as Saada, Jawf, Marib, and Amran. Fore pledged US commitment to continue such developmental work in Yemen.

Jenna Hootstein

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The global economic downturn was a main theme of the meeting, and Zilik referred to situation as a “human-made disaster”, thereby requiring unifying efforts from all countries to resolve and alleviate the financial problems that have ensued.

The Development Committee also called on the WB and the IMF to help developing countries, especially with the food crisis, economic crisis, and high fuel prices.

It is interesting to see the role Yemen is playing on an international level, especially in today’s globalized world besieged by financial crisis and hardship.

Jenna Hootstein

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The group was arrested by US Navy personnel who discovered the contraband on board an Iranian fishing vessel. The suspects were then handed over to Yemeni authorities. The group deny the allegations and instead claim the US sailors threw large quantities of fish from the boat into the sea. The suspects assert that no drugs were present on board.

Yemeni authorities claim that they have seized 27 tonnes of drugs in the past nine months, mostly from Iranian traffickers attempting to smuggle their drugs through Yemen en route to Saudia Arabia and other Arab countries. A verdict on this specific case has not yet been reached at the time of press.

It is interesting how as a result of its geographical location, Yemen has become involved in drug trafficking. It is oftentimes easy to overlook how global and current events take place partially due to factors that are oftentimes beyond a country’s control, such as its location and ties to other neighboring nations.

Jenna Hootstein

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Finding contaminated milk products from China is predicted to negatively impact the well-established trust and business relationship between the Yemeni people and Chinese manufacturers. China has remained the biggest manufacturer and exporter of commercial food and commodities to Yemen. The Yemeni people look to China as the leader and example for safety and quality in production.

Yemen is specifically concerned for the rural population who are often of lower socio-economic status and are not only more likely to buy the contaminated food, but given their high illiteracy rates, less likely to be informed that the contamination exists.

It will be interesting to trace the developments and to see how the contamination scandal affects the relationship between China and Yemen. It seems that both China and Yemen will need to take active roles in the days ahead; China in ending the problem and Yemen in protecting and alerting its people.

Jenna Hootstein

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Yemen was elected by obtaining eleven votes, enough to give it a place on the Board. The competitive elections were held in Cairo, Egypt. Yemen’s membership on the Board is for a two year period. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is one of the most prominent international organizations which support health and ways to combat diseases such as AIDS, TB and malaria–diseases that claim huge number of lives on a global level each year. The Fund has an annual budget of $13 billion. Yemen signed an agreement with the fund for $27 million to support programs which work to combat AIDS, TB and malaria.

Yemen’s admittance is an illustration of how the country is gaining prominence and playing an active role at the international and global level. Yemen’s involvement is an interesting case study depicting how despite difference in culture and ideology different nations spanning across the globe are able to join together for a common cause. it will be fascinating to track Yemen’s work on the Board and the initiatives it is planning on, as it works with other nations to combat serious global problems.

Jenna Hootstein

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Yemen’s Interior Minister reported that the attempt took place in the western province of Dhamar. The tourist group was allegedly traveling in a touring jeep through the historic region, 100 km south of Yemen’s capital Sana’a, when three gunmen approached them. The gunmen attempted to abduct the group, including the Yemeni driver, when police, who were patrolling the area, noticed. They were able to foil the abduction, and no one was injured. Police are currently looking for the gunmen.

This attempt at kidnapping comes just weeks after a terrorist attack on Yemen’s US Embassy left 16 people dead (including 6 policemen and 6 of the terrorists–see Yemen Foils Terror Plans–Prevents Disaster)

According to the US, the security threat in Yemen is high. This increased level of threat has interesting implications given the US’ War on Terror as well as US relations with the Middle East. What does the increase of attempted attacks say about the safety of the Middle East? Are terrorist groups not supposed to be dwindling? How will such developments affect foreign affairs and foreign policy?

Jenna Hootstein

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