Gregory D. Johnsen
Gregory D. Johnsen, a former Fulbright Fellow in Yemen, is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University.
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Articles by Gregory D. Johnsen
Soldier’s Brigade of Yemen Continues Attacks
One day after Yemen announced the arrest of an 11-man al-Qaeda cell, the organization attempted to strike back on May 30 with an attack on an oil refinery in the
Al-Qaeda in Yemen Reorganizes under Nasir al-Wahayshi
The man most responsible for the growing strength of al-Qaeda in Yemen is a 32-year-old former secretary of Osama bin Laden named Nasir al-Wahayshi. He took over the leadership of
Attacks on Oil Industry Are First Priority for al-Qaeda in Yemen
Over the past six months, al-Qaeda in Yemen’s strategy has become increasingly clear. It aims to strike at both Yemen and Western countries— particularly the United States—by attacking them at
Tracking Yemen’s 23 Escaped Jihadi Operatives – Part 2
In mid-September, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh issued a stern warning to the Wa'ilah tribe in northern Yemen: turn over the six al-Qaeda suspects you are sheltering or face serious
Tracking Yemen’s 23 Escaped Jihadi Operatives – Part 1
In mid-September, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh issued a stern warning to the Wa'ilah tribe in northern Yemen: turn over the six al-Qaeda suspects you are sheltering or face serious
Yemen Faces Second Generation of Islamist Militants
The July 2 suicide attack in Marib, which killed eight Spanish tourists and two Yemeni drivers, painfully illustrated the degree to which Al-Qaeda in Yemen has reorganized itself into an
Yemen Attack Reveals Struggle Among Al-Qaeda’s Ranks
Throughout the spring and early summer, a schism has emerged within the ranks of Al-Qaeda in Yemen, pitting younger, more radicalized members against the moderate old guard. These strategic differences
Is Al-Qaeda in Yemen Regrouping?
In November 2002, the United States dealt a devastating blow to Al-Qaeda in Yemen when it assassinated Abu Ali al-Harithi with a missile from a Predator drone. One year later,
Yemen Accuses Iran of Meddling in its Internal Affairs
In late January, a new round of fighting broke out between the Shabab al-Muminayn (The Believing Youth) and Yemeni forces in the northern governorate of Sa'dah. Government sources put the
Yemen’s Al-Iman University: A Pipeline for Fundamentalists?
The recent arrests of 23 men, including four Europeans and three Australians, have once again raised questions about Yemen's al-Iman University and its possible links to extremism. Initial reports suggested
The Resiliency of Yemen’s Aden-Abyan Islamic Army
Yemen has had a long reputation of producing fighters for foreign wars. This tradition, as the current trial of a number of Yemenis for traveling to Iraq to fight illustrates,
Yemen’s Passive Role in the War on Terrorism
For the past five years, Yemen has been what is best described as a passive partner in the U.S.-led war on terrorism. It has taken a number of steps to