But as with many countries in the Middle East and North Africa, there are a set of environmental and resource issues that threaten instability even further. In Yemen, water insecurity, in the form of water shortages, is the main threat. According to a recent piece by Frontline, these shortages are the result of a complex interplay of unsustainable water use (90% of the nation’s water is used for agriculture, and a large chunk of that for the highly water-intensive “qat” crop), climate change which is expected to increase droughts and floods, rapid population growth, and a fragile government.
If the United States has an interest in stabilizing Yemen for the long-term, counter-terrorism operations will not be enough. Helping Yemen address its water security problems, including the impact of climate change, will be paramount, along with providing much-needed humanitarian relief. The recent Intelligence Community Assessment on Global Water Security, requested by the U.S. State Department and coordinated by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, is a recognition of this critical security issue, and can act as an initial impetus and guide for action in Yemen, and other nations with similar vulnerabilities.