ASSESSMENTS

An Array of Challenges for Yemen's Embattled President

Mar 3, 2011 | 13:52 GMT

MOHAMMAD HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images

Summary

With protesters continuing to gather in the streets demanding the removal of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Yemeni leader is facing what could be the end of his 32-year political reign. The two main factors to watch in determining Saleh's staying power are the army and the tribes. While Saleh appears to have retained significant army support so far, his tribal loyalties are coming under increasing strain. Saleh's ability to maintain tribal support will in many ways depend on the view in Riyadh, which has cultivated strong links across Yemen's landscape and will play a major role in determining whether Saleh has become too big a liability for Persian Gulf stability.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh may appear to be on a downward spiral, but his fall does not appear imminent just yet....

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