Yemen - a New Battleground in the War on Terror? The time for diplomacy seems to have passed and with it, the time the US government gave the Yemeni authorities to hunt down terrorists - with plenty of support in funding and advisers.  Washington’s patience has been wearing thin since Christmas Day when the bombing of a US passenger jet was averted at the last minute. The alleged bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmuttab, received his training and mission in Yemen from Al Qaeda, which is already threatening more attacks. The Americans now want to make a show of strength and protect themselves, if need be using military force. Unofficially, US forces are said to have repeatedly conducted military operations in Yemen. Officially, Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al Qirbi denies the existence of an agreement by which the US can attack targets in Yemen. The situation in the country is tense. The government of President Ali Abdallah Saleh is simultaneously fighting Shi'ite rebels in the north and a separatist movement in the country's south. Al Qaeda has taken advantage of the chaos to establish bases beyond the reach of government authority. Yemen appears to have joined Afghanistan and Pakistan as a center of international terrorist activity. For the government in Sanaa, the US military help is risky. It could further erode the people's already-shaky confidence in the state, and make the government look like a puppet of the US, the new "occupying power." And that could drive many into Al Qaeda's arms. Yet without aid, Yemen would risk becoming a failed state, just like Somalia. That would have global consequences. What do you think? Yemen - A New Battleground In The War On Terror? Write to us at Quadriga@dw-world.de