American intervention in Yemen is a product of the war on terror... Because American security was given priority over all other concerns, counterterrorism agencies paid no attention to the human rights abuses being committed by their local partners... Because America has invested so heavily in Yemen's security forces, it now seems that a transition to democracy will depend on whether Washington believes that investment will remain secure... Sadly, it seems likely that the United States will support figures from the old regime rather than allow a transitional government approved by the people to take control

Yemen's Unfinished Revolution, 2011