The latest "Worldwide Caution" issued by the U.S. State Department last week made for grim reading, telling of "an increased likelihood of reprisal attacks against U.S., Western and coalition partner interests throughout the world, especially in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and Asia." Much of the bulletin dwelled on the threat from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. But among a laundry list of dangerous places was this sentence: "Terrorist organizations continue to be active in Yemen, including al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)." It was a brief, generic commentary on the group still regarded by many analysts as al Qaeda's most effective affiliate, and which is now exploiting a surge in political turmoil in Yemen. As a reminder of how dangerous AQAP is, the State Department on Tuesday published an unusual "wanted" list "offering rewards totaling up to $45 million for information leading to the locations of eight key leaders" of the group.
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Many analysts say al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is al Qaeda's most effective affiliate
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The group is exploiting political turmoil in Yemen, where Houthi rebels are fighting government
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Radical Sunnis say Houthis are apostates and should be driven from Muslim lands or killed
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Yemen could become a theater in the Sunni/Shia confrontation gripping much of the Middle East
Once again, Yemen seems close to becoming a failing state; the sort of place where @placeholder incubates quickly.