Daniel Benjamin,  the State Department's coordinator for counterterrorism discussed the circumstances in Yemen and provided insight on the current U.S. counterterrorism strategy.

 

In 2009, the failed Christmas airline attack brought Yemen to the forefront of many discussions about al-Qaeda and terrorism. Despite the newly-increased spotlight on Yemen and its troubles, the country has long been a core part of broader U.S. counterterrorism strategy.

In this public event, Daniel Benjamin,  the State Department's coordinator for counterterrorism discussed the circumstances in Yemen and provided insight on the current U.S. counterterrorism strategy.

Previously, Ambassador Benjamin was a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. From 1994 to1999, Mr. Benjamin served on the National Security Council staff. In 1998-1999, he was director for counterterrorism in the Office of Transnational Threats. In 1994-1997, he served as foreign policy speechwriter and special assistant to President Clinton. Before entering the government, Mr. Benjamin was a foreign correspondent for TIME Magazine and The Wall Street Journal.

Daniel Benjamin has co-written two books, "The Age of Sacred Terror" and "The Next Attack: The Failure of the War on Terror and a Strategy for Getting it Right," edited "America and the World in the Age of Terror: A New Landscape of in International Relations," and published numerous articles in The New York Times, Washington Post, Slate, TIME Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and other publications.

 

Speakers

  • Daniel Benjamin
    Coordinator of Counterterrorism
    Department of State
  • Steven Heydemann, Moderator
    Vice President, Grant and Fellowships Program and Co-director, Yemen Working Group
    U.S. Institute of Peace

 

Related Publications

A Slippery Slope? U.S., U.K. Launch Strikes on Iran-Backed Houthis in Yemen

A Slippery Slope? U.S., U.K. Launch Strikes on Iran-Backed Houthis in Yemen

Friday, January 12, 2024

By: Sarhang Hamasaeed

On January 12, the United States and the United Kingdom, supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, launched military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the group’s attacks on civilian and military ships in the Red Sea. The U.S.-led strikes are a significant escalation and part of the growing regional impact of the Israel-Hamas war, which the United States has been actively trying to prevent from turning into a regional war.

Type: AnalysisQuestion and Answer

Conflict Analysis & PreventionGlobal Policy

Houthi Offensive ‘Primary Obstacle’ to Peace in Yemen, Says U.S. Special Envoy Lenderking

Houthi Offensive ‘Primary Obstacle’ to Peace in Yemen, Says U.S. Special Envoy Lenderking

Thursday, February 10, 2022

By: Ashish Kumar Sen

The Biden administration’s diplomatic efforts toward ending the war in Yemen are yielding international consensus on the need for a cease-fire and a more inclusive peace process, U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Timothy Lenderking said on February 8. However, Lenderking added, a military offensive by Houthi rebels is a major obstacle to those peace efforts.

Type: Analysis

Peace ProcessesConflict Analysis & Prevention

Dialogues nationaux sur la consolidation de la paix et les transitions créativité et pensée adaptative

Dialogues nationaux sur la consolidation de la paix et les transitions créativité et pensée adaptative

Monday, December 13, 2021

By: Elizabeth Murray;  Susan Stigant

Dans le meilleur des cas, les processus de dialogue national promettent d’apporter un élan décisif à la transformation inclusive du conflit. Ce rapport examine les dialogues dans six pays: la République Centrafricaine, le Kenya, le Liban, le Sénégal, la Tunisie et le Yémen. Ces divers processus montrent les possibilités de favoriser le dialogue, de forger des accords et de progresser vers la paix; et le rapport offre des conseils détaillés sur les possibilités et les aspects pratiques pour ceux qui envisagent d'organiser un dialogue national.

Type: Peaceworks

Mediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

Reforming the U.S.-Sudan Relationship Requires a Regional Strategy

Reforming the U.S.-Sudan Relationship Requires a Regional Strategy

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

By: Aly Verjee;  Payton Knopf

On November 7, the U.S. Department of State announced long-awaited plans outlining a path to better relations with Sudan, “designed to expand our bilateral cooperation, facilitate meaningful reforms to enhance stability in Sudan, and achieve further progress in a number of areas of longstanding concern.” USIP’s Aly Verjee and Payton Knopf discuss the initiative, and identify where broader U.S. regional objectives could cohere, including in the war in Yemen.

Type: Analysis

Fragility & ResilienceGlobal Policy

View All Publications