The Impact of external factors in the political life of Yemen

Abstract

This research is an attempt to investigate the most important events and developments that accompanied the political life of Yemen since independence until gaining unity, and the different dimensions that it has witnessed with the different political systems in both the north and south of the country, and what these developments have left on the progress of the political parties and their role in the national movement. Thus, the external environment, regional and international, is present in the political life of Yemen before and after the establishment of unity. This presence is imposed by consequences of the Cold War, the subsequent events and major political changes that have been witnessed after Cold War, and the domination of unipolar policy of the United States in international politics. All these elements affected in the political life and regional interactions in the whole region which resulted in a political- social movement that has a direct and indirect, negative and positive impact on the political life of Yemen. The establishment of unity in 1990 and the subsequent constitutional changes in the country are considered a quantum leap in the political life of Yemen. This unity that has been achieved by the changes and transformations of internal and regional policies made an important sign on democracy, pluralism, political participation through the issuance of the Constitution, and the approval of legislations and laws concerning the function of political parties. Therefore, this research focuses on the U.S. role as one of the most important international players, some of the major regional powers and their effects on the role, the tendencies, and policies of the various political and social forces in the political arena in Yemen and the nature of the political system prevailing in it. The research also addresses briefly the challenges faced by the existing system at the present time and particularly since 2004, as the external factor, regional and international, marks a clear sign on the struggle between the regime and the opposition, the rebellion in the north and the political movement in South, in addition to the return of armed groups that have taken the country as a base for the so-called (Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula).