Between Cautious and Assertive Policies:

Abstract

This dissertation investigates and delves into the development of the US-Yemeni relationship throughout history. It also focuses on the foreign policies of Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump in Yemen taking in consideration the geopolitical and economic aspects that have shaped this relationship. The latter is affected by nearby countries, natural resources, strategic objectives, counterterrorism, and alliances that have shaped the diplomatic relations. An important part of this work highlights Yemen's political instability and the ongoing civil conflict, and discusses the reasons and consequences of this struggle. The existence of extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has made Yemen a central concern and the main interest of the United States' counterterrorism policy as it was seen as the hot spot of terrorist groups. These factors influenced how presidents dealt with the issue following different policies. Under Obama‟s presidency, the United States focused on launching drone strikes and little diplomatic involvement, but also on providing assistance for the Saudi-led coalition as the Houthis‟ movement captured the attention in the region. Years later, the Trump Administration emphasized its strategy in Yemen on increasing weapons sales to Gulf partners while limiting the diplomatic concerns and ignoring the casualties. By comparing these two administrations and the strategies they maintained, the study concludes a shift from cautious international cooperation to a powerful and aggressive militarism method, concentrating on the consequences on Yemen's national stability.