Jubilant crowds took to the streets in Yemen over the weekend, celebrating the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Following a rocket attack on his compound on Friday, Saleh was flown to the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh on Saturday to have wood splinters surgically removed from his chest. Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has taken over for the interim, and international leaders are calling on Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down. But it’s unclear whether the man who ruled the country with an iron fist for 33 years will try to return — and if not, what will happen in the power vacuum. Hakim Almasmari, Editor-in-Chief of the Yemen Post, is in Sanaa. He says people are worried that Saleh’s family may try to take control. Ambassador Barbara K. Bodine, former U.S. Ambassador to Yemen (1997-2001) and Diplomat in Residence at Princeton University says while she doesn’t see an anti-American government coming to power, the U.S. will need to broaden its focus if it wants to prevent al-Qaida from wreaking havoc in the interim.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!