There isn’t much talk of the ’credit crunch’ in Yemen but the national habit of chewing Qat is turning into what can only be called a ’qat crunch’.
Whilst the western world is obsessing over the credit crisis, sub prime chaos and rising oil prices and its effects on consumer spending and rising costs, Yemen is experiencing similar problems caused by shortages of water, massively increasing food prices and a fast growing population. The price of wheat has increased 3 fold in the last few months. Rainfall in much of Yemen …

A look back in the Yemeni media over the last 2 months shows a ’war’ between 2 vitality important issues for Yemen:
1. Security
2. Investment
The war is not an asymmetric confrontation between these 2 issues, though i guess ultimately it is, but a war being simultaneously played out in the Yemeni media. So what has been happening?

So, i have arrived back in the UK for a couple of weeks after a solid 3 month stint tending to business in Yemen. I have left behind a country whose tourism people are visiting a tourism expo in Madrid off the back of the killing of 2 Belgian tourists and their Yemeni guides in Hadramout a week earlier. Not good timing for them, but perfect timing for whoever planned it. Anyway, more on that in a future post.
Arriving back in the UK i am confused and bamboozled by what …

Following on from Brian Barron’s earlier piece, he has broadcasted from Aden on the 40th anniversary of the ending of British Colonial rule in South Yemen. Brian Barron’s commentary on Aden is factual and to the point. From one perspective, Aden is indeed a pretty sorry sight these days. From another, that of the curious tourist, Aden is a fascinating myriad of post colonial architecture, faded grandeur and a cocktail of islamic and non-islamic culture.

Just to let you know that i had an abortive trip to Shibam Kowkaban on Friday 23rd November. Reason – not enough paperwork about my work in Yemen or a tourist permit from the tourist police. Usually this checkpoint just needs a passport but not at the moment.
My advice…when travelling by road using taxi or bus, you need to have the right permits.