Are we caving to AQ threats?

[Charles Martel]

No troops for Yemen: White House aide (AFP) 3 January 2010, http://tinyurl.com/y8d459z

Do we really need to announce this? Might be the right answer if YM can defeat AQ with only indirect support or if we are not concerned about AQ shifting its flag from PAK to YM, but do we need to announce it the same day we close down our Embassy in the face of AQ threats?

The dots connect to describe a direct line from the threat to our decision not to intervene. I'm sure the connection is not lost on our enemies.

[SteveO]

Do we really need to announce this? Might be the right answer if YM can defeat AQ with only indirect support or if we are not concerned about AQ shifting its flag from PAK to YM, but do we need to announce it the same day we close down our Embassy in the face of AQ threats?

Mr. Martel,

I didn't read it that way. We already have an active indirect FID program with the Yemenis to train/equip CT and border police. Section 1206 and 1207 plus antiterrorism through Title 22.

My take on PM Brown's comments was that UK/US would strengthen existing security assistance.

Perhaps the embassies closed in advance to avoid being targets for retaliatory actions once the stepped up FID/SA/SFA programs pushed deeper into YM internal defense apparatus.

But, yes, on first blush, the dots connect to weakness. I'm hoping there is a little bit more to it.