James Spencer is a London-based independent consultant specializing in the political and security issues of the Middle East

Inside or Outside the Tent?

[caption id="attachment_55237605" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A Yemeni soldier mans a checkpoint in Sana'a on 23 January 2013. Source: MOHAMMED…

Canny Iranians

[caption id="attachment_55246397" align="alignnone" width="620"] Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, meets with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki…

A Rolling Stone to Crush Corruption

[caption id="attachment_55247047" align="alignnone" width="620"] A Yemeni soldier keeps guard at a protest in Sana'a in this August 8, 2012, file…

The Echo of a Bomb

[caption id="attachment_55247981" align="alignnone" width="620"] People visit the scene of the attack on the Yemeni defense ministry that took place…

Beyond Yemen’s Usual Suspects

[caption id="attachment_55248517" align="alignnone" width="620"] Yemenis hold an anti-government demonstration in Sana'a, the capital, on February 11…

A Timely Reminder from Southern Arabia

[inset_left]Why Yemen Matters : A Society in Transition Edited by Helen Lackner Saqi Books, 360 pages London, 2014[/inset_left]Conferences on Yemen…

Big Plans, Big Problems?

[caption id="attachment_55249023" align="alignnone" width="620"] Yemenis hold an anti-government demonstration in Sana'a, the capital, on February 11…

Working Smart, Not Working Hard

[caption id="attachment_55249140" align="alignnone" width="620"] US Navy crew man machine-guns as they stand aboard a Riverine Command Boat off the…

Making Friends, Qatar-Style

[caption id="attachment_55249917" align="alignnone" width="620"] Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmed Bin Abdullah Al-Mahmud (C), chairs a meeting…

Infected by Panic

[caption id="attachment_55250274" align="alignnone" width="620"] An Indian worker wears a mouth and nose mask as he touches a camel at his Saudi…