Terrorism Returns to Yemen

In Washington, the Obama administration’s specialists have put certain international events through their presidential propaganda machine. One example of the process was Obama’s successful elimination of Osama bin Laden, the man responsible for the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 in New York and Washington.

The removal of bin Laden, head of the vast terrorist network al-Qaida, by American commandos in Pakistan was certainly a relief for the beleaguered Democrats.

However, acting as if their victory had wiped out al-Qaida and its tentacles was one of those inaccurate claims typical of the White House lexicon. That being said, the president’s speech was gradually revised over the last few months.

Last week, with those events still unforgotten, the international press announced the temporary closure of the U.S. embassies in the Arabian Peninsula due to reports that al-Qaida was preparing a series of attacks against Americans in the region. No details were given, however. That changed a few days ago, when United States intelligence intercepted a conversation between Ayman al-Zawahiri, current leader of al-Qaida and former second-in-command to bin Laden, and Nasser al-Wuhayshi, who is now al-Qaida’s number two and leader of their new division in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), as well as head of the Yemen branch. Some versions of the story also involved several affiliates from both inside and outside the Arabian Peninsula.

During the conversation, they spoke about a series of deadly attacks as well as the need to use a province of Yemen as their headquarters in the region. Furthermore, it was decided that they would strike the Israeli port of Eilat along with other cities in the country. Let’s not forget that there are terrorist groups operating in Sinai.

In reaction to the flood of information created by the revelations about al-Qaida, voices from Capitol Hill have shown concern for the group’s leadership, which oversees terrorist actions from Pakistan. Senator John McCain suggested that this new information has poked holes in the Obama administration’s claims that al-Qaida is retreating.

On the other hand, Yemen has confirmed that it was able to dismantle al-Qaida’s attempt to damage and destroy port and petroleum transport facilities. Another result of the revelations has been the hindering of the White House’s plans to send prisoners from Guantanamo to Yemen. Furthermore, according to a United Nations report, the conflict in Syria has led to the emergence of a strong al-Qaida presence coming from the Iraqi branch, which attracts hundreds of foreign recruits.

There are a variety of reports on the subject of al-Qaida’s military presence across Latin America. In general, they are cells dedicated to the training and indoctrination of new recruits, as well as some veterans of Syria and Lebanon who are now returning to their home countries. As a result, questions have arisen as to what they will do upon returning home, especially with regard to their interaction with youths who could be drawn into recruitment in search of new experiences, including violent conflict.

What can our governments do in the face of this problem, especially when it comes to the youth, even if only a small number of them could potentially be recruited for violent endeavors? Of course, there is no magical formula for strengthening democratic beliefs among the youth besides providing better education and reinforcing values; that is a duty that should never be set aside in the name of other priorities.