Contemporary Yemen: Politics and Historical Background

First published in 1984, this volume examines the then-two Yemens, North and South, and their strategic importance in the Middle East. South Yemen, formerly Aden, was a Marxist country controlling the entrance to the Red Sea. North Yemen contained rival tribal factions and was a buffer country between the Marxists of South Yemen and Saudi Arabia, a traditional Islamic and pro-Western country. This book presents much new research and thinking on the historical development and contemporary political scene in the two Yemens. It considers the internal politics of the two countries, discussing the tribal divisions in North Yemen and the attempts by the Soviets to establish a stable pro-Soviet regime in South Yemen, and it also discusses international politics connected with the Yemens. Government institutions are examined and the attempts to forge these comparatively backward countries into modern states along with the prospects for union between the two countries are discussed. This comprehensive selection of papers, which harnesses much expertise from many countries on the Yemen, is essential reading.