Also I wasnt referring to Munier at all with the term multiple credible indications of logistical support. I meant other stuff.

2) Saleh has a lot of power otherwise he couldn’t be a survivalist. The guy is entering his third decade.

3) I wasn’t referring to traditional “corruption”, perhaps subversion is the better term. There’s no way you can compare Jordan or Egypt or anyone in the region in their counter-terror measures to the level of Saleh’s two faced duplicity, propganda and game playing. There’s nothing close.

Neoconitis is hysterical :) It reminds me the reaction in 2005 when I started writing about the mass displacement of civilians in Saada, and 2006 when a western diplomat said it was laughable that me as a non-Yemeni would imply there were any lingering issues from unity…

I did not bring in Munir’s work because it is not clear just how close the elements are to leadership circles or to what extend they were directly involved in activities or “logistical support.” As opposed to Ali Mohsen. the Bayt al-Ahmar, like most Yemeni families is not without its black sheep. I think Munir has been cautious because of this. Nevertheless, perhaps I should have acknowledged this thinking.

[few things happen without Saleh’s approval]
You ascribe too much power to Saleh. He’s not an evil genius, just a survivalist.

[the Yemeni regime is corrupted beyond the point of rehabilitation...]

As opposed to…? heh, I hate to say it Jane, but you suffer from neoconitis. I’m not excusing corruption and nepotism – but, find me Arab government without it.

I don’t have any indications Saleh is in direct contact or is coordinating with Waheshi. Saleh’s deal making with Zawaheri and the old jihaddists, and his accomidations in the past, enhances the ability of the new group to strike non-regime targets. And Trey, if these al Qaeda fanatics wanted to take the regime down, a few well targeted shoulder fired rockets could do it. Its not in their interest to do so and its definately not in the interst of AQ central.

Its just one interpretation of all the facts but its one that fits in the whole picture from the north to the south, from the drug smuggling to the gun running, from Walid Fahdli to Fahd al Quso, from the 80’s to now. You know I started out thinking Saleh was a reformist and came to these conclusions slowly and after a lot of research.