Center for a New American Security

Could aid dependency undermine efforts to bring stability to Yemen? Amid growing instability associated with acute water scarcity, dwindling oil revenue, continued calls for secession from the South, and conflict in the North between al-Houthi-led militias and government soldiers, many Yemenis – at least 175,000 – have been internally displaced and taken refuge in temporary camps where they may find a modicum of relief with access to food, water, and other aid rations. And given the government’s inability to provide, in many cases, the most basic public services, many of the displaced people are not looking to go home – at least any time soon.

In Yemen, unsustainable natural resource management and agricultural practices and a dependence on oil revenue to sustain otherwise expensive water extraction may be precursors to more extensive environmental collapse that could undermine Yemen’s economic development and stability if the government does not improve its environmental stewardship. Already these issues have led, in part, to low-level conflict and left many Yemenis without access to food, water, and other vital resources to sustain their own livelihoods. These dynamics are part of what’s driven many Yemenis from their homes to internally displaced person (IDP) camps.

In honor of Yemen Week here on the blog we wanted to to bring to your attention an oldie but a goodie, a super interesting 5 Questions with Someone Interesting over water issues and Yemen between Natural Security blogger Will Rogers and Gregory Johnsen, former Fulbright Fellow in Yemen and Ph.D. candidate in Near Eastern Studies at Princeton. 

Without any further introduction, let's get to the questions. . . again.

Yemen is becoming one of the most closely watched countries in the Middle East; ranked 18th in Foreign Policy’s “Failed State Index.” And one of the issues that we have been curious about here in the Natural Security program is how Yemen’s water crisis is combining with existing trends in Yemen to undermine stability and contribute to violence. I recently spoke with Gregory Johnsen, a Ph.D. candidate in Near Eastern studies at Princeton University and a former Fulbright Fellow in Yemen, who spoke with me about his experiences and helped me better understand the interplay between Yemen’s water scarcity and the myriad security challenges there. 

Johnsen has written for a variety of publications including Foreign Policy, The American Interest, the Christian Science Monitor, the Boston Globe and West Point's CTC Sentinel. He is also a co-contributor to Waq al-Waq, a blog that offers nuanced analyses of Yemen’s history and political affairs.

Rogers: As a Fulbright Fellow you spent your time in Yemen and were able to see firsthand how severe water scarcity engages existing issues, such as a weak central government and rising population growth, to contribute to instability and violence. Then you returned and co-authored this great piece in Foreign Policy back in February aptly titled “The Wells Run Dry.” I’m curious – how have you seen the situation in Yemen change since you published this article?

• Senator Kerry outlines the energy and climate bill on Grist.
• Pakistan may take India to international court over a hydropower project which could violate their tense water agreement, according to Asia Times Online.
• CNN says solar energy has a bright future in the United States.
• Russia builds nuclear energy ties with Iran, reports today's edition of Tehran Times.
• All Africa offers some details about the World Bank's efforts to help boost Nigeria's food security.

• Check out DARPA's latest idea for future military vehicles, a solar powered blimp hovering 12-miles above the earth, featured on Hybrid Auto Review.
• Our friends over at CSIS offer an article on water issues in Pakistan and how it could be affecting regional security.
• Secretary Salazar announces a split to Mineral Management Services into two new offices, reports The Washington Post.
• Check out the Military Energy Security Act (MESA), introduced in the House last week, on Open Congress.
• According to an article in The New York Times, Eastern Europe looks to shale gas reserves to build energy security.

• Pakistan's energy sector is in need of support, and Pakistan is looking to Iran to support it, according to UPI
• AFP reports that the UN has cut funding to alleviate food issues in Yemen
• According to an article from Biofuels Digest, the Department of Energy has awarded a California company $4.7million to research new initiatives in carbon capture and sequestration technology
• Russia's State Duma looks to draft new legislation to protect its seas from oil spills, in wake of the recent Gulf oil leak, according to ITAR-TASS
• A block of Nile states may move forward with a water treaty without the support of Egypt and Sudan, reports Circle of Blue

• The Telegraph features an article on threats made by a Pakistani terrorist organization against India over water rights.
• The European Union looks to pressure Africa and China over access to rare earth minerals, reports Earth Times.
• Cape Cod gets the go ahead for 130 offshore wind turbines, the first project of its kind in America, according to The Guardian.
• A recent article from IRIN reports that Iraq may need to import up to 80% of its wheat in 2010 due to low water levels in Mesopotamia.
• The European Union may secure a new natural gas source, as Turkey and Azerbaijan reach an agreement over an Azeri pipeline through Turkey to Europe, according to UPI.

• The Washington Post discusses deal-making between Ukraine and Russia for energy and basing rights.
• Egypt continues to have water disputes with its Nile basin neighbors, reports Reuters AlertNet.
• According to a recent article in World Policy Review, Pakistan secures help in building new nuclear reactors from China.
• China's People's Daily discusses the particulars of what it calls the "rare earth war." 
• RTT News reports that an EU climate directive may mean the closure of 14 power plants in the United Kingdom.