Yemen chaos, Saudi king’s death pose new challenges for US

The collapse of the Yemeni government, coupled with the death early Friday of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, have in an instant thrown the future of America’s fight against Islamist extremists in the volatile region into question — while potentially giving Iran more sway.

 

The Obama administration is still assessing the political earthquakes in the Arabian Peninsula, and for the near-term says the top priority in Yemen is the security of U.S. personnel. The State Department said it has reduced the number of personnel at the U.S. Embassy in the capital city of Sanaa.

 

But when the sands settle, a new government – or no government at all – in Yemen could complicate one of the administration’s most active counterterror drone programs in the world. And the new leadership in Saudi Arabia raises questions about the country’s future involvement in fighting the Islamic State and other pressing issues.

 

Read More: ‘Worst-case scenario’: Yemen chaos, Saudi king’s death pose new challenges for US | Fox News