Like other Arab revolutions in 2011, it is said that Yemen's rebellion was modeled on street protests in Tunis and Cairo. As this erudite new study explains, however, what happened in Yemen is far from being a mere echo of events elsewhere. In fact, the popular uprisings which came as a surprise in Tunisia and Egypt, Libya and Syria, were already well underway in Yemen. As early as 2007, this country on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula was embroiled in sit-ins, demonstrations, and open rebellion against the government. The author ably demonstrates how Yemen's political upheaval is rooted in divisions and conflicts of the past, especially the country's troubled national unification in 1990. Based on years of in-depth field research, this book unravels the complexities of the Yemeni state and its domestic politics with a particular focus on the post-1990 years. -- From publisher.

Includes maps of: Cities and Provinces in the Republic of Yemen, 2011; Seven Geographic Regions of Yemen's Population; Yemen's North-south Division on the Arabian Peninsula until 1990; Battlefronts in Yemen's 1994 Civil War, April-July.

Understanding the regional divisions of Yemen -- Two revolutions, two republics -- Salih family rules and the Sanhan tribe -- Unity in name only -- The spoils of civil war -- A regime in control? -- Political eruptions after 9/11 -- The return of Yemeni regionalism -- Yemen's political meltdown.