Comments on: The Death of Sheik al-Ahmar http://middleeast.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/01/03/the-death-of-sheik-al-ahmar/ The World Affairs Blog Network Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:26:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Middle East » Blog Archive » Hamid al-Ahmar http://middleeast.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/01/03/the-death-of-sheik-al-ahmar/comment-page-1/#comment-506 Middle East » Blog Archive » Hamid al-Ahmar Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:38:34 +0000 http://middleeast.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/01/03/the-death-of-sheik-al-ahmar/#comment-506 [...] The Yemen Times has a recent profile on Sheik al-Ahmar’s son, a very relevant man following the recent death of his father, the second-most powerful person in Yemen.   The author, Abdullah al-Faqeh, is a professor of politics at Sana’a University and very clearly a fan of young Hamid.  In the last post on the al-Ahmar clan, commentor Gregory postulates that Hamid is the best bet of the late Sheik’s six sons to assume power over the Hashid tribal federation, but thinks that his image of a modern and international businessman might hurt him.  While al-Faqeh doesn’t address this, he clearly thinks Hamid al-Ahmar can be a bridge between Yemen’s past and present.  Here is a longish quote. [...] [...] The Yemen Times has a recent profile on Sheik al-Ahmar’s son, a very relevant man following the recent death of his father, the second-most powerful person in Yemen.   The author, Abdullah al-Faqeh, is a professor of politics at Sana’a University and very clearly a fan of young Hamid.  In the last post on the al-Ahmar clan, commentor Gregory postulates that Hamid is the best bet of the late Sheik’s six sons to assume power over the Hashid tribal federation, but thinks that his image of a modern and international businessman might hurt him.  While al-Faqeh doesn’t address this, he clearly thinks Hamid al-Ahmar can be a bridge between Yemen’s past and present.  Here is a longish quote. [...]

]]> By: Gregory D. Johnsen http://middleeast.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/01/03/the-death-of-sheik-al-ahmar/comment-page-1/#comment-505 Gregory D. Johnsen Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:12:26 +0000 http://middleeast.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/01/03/the-death-of-sheik-al-ahmar/#comment-505 Interesting that neither Gamal or Hamid are eldest sons. I am curious to see how Hamid's identity as a businessman first and a tribesman second will play out. He has made more than a few enemieis - threatening the editor of 26th of September with death in a heated conversation last year, to name just one. There have also been numerous disputes, some public, between his late father and him over politics. Now that the major restraint of his father's influence is lifted, I am interested to see whether he will be constrained by the tribal and political system in Yemen or whether he will attempt to carve out more power for himself. Interesting that neither Gamal or Hamid are eldest sons. I am curious to see how Hamid's identity as a businessman first and a tribesman second will play out. He has made more than a few enemieis - threatening the editor of 26th of September with death in a heated conversation last year, to name just one. There have also been numerous disputes, some public, between his late father and him over politics.

Now that the major restraint of his father's influence is lifted, I am interested to see whether he will be constrained by the tribal and political system in Yemen or whether he will attempt to carve out more power for himself.

]]> By: Brian O'Neill http://middleeast.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/01/03/the-death-of-sheik-al-ahmar/comment-page-1/#comment-504 Brian O'Neill Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:49:39 +0000 http://middleeast.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/01/03/the-death-of-sheik-al-ahmar/#comment-504 Good question, Gregory. This isn't like Egypt, where Gamal Mubarak's slick internationalism slightly helps to balance out the obvious nepotism of his rise. But I think Hamid's talent and his modernity will help him with the more urban youth. As for the Hashid elders, it comes down to a question of tribal allegiance vs. allegiance to tribalism, if that makes sense (which I hope it does.) Good question, Gregory. This isn't like Egypt, where Gamal Mubarak's slick internationalism slightly helps to balance out the obvious nepotism of his rise. But I think Hamid's talent and his modernity will help him with the more urban youth. As for the Hashid elders, it comes down to a question of tribal allegiance vs. allegiance to tribalism, if that makes sense (which I hope it does.)

]]> By: Gregory D. Johnsen http://middleeast.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/01/03/the-death-of-sheik-al-ahmar/comment-page-1/#comment-503 Gregory D. Johnsen Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:18:02 +0000 http://middleeast.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/01/03/the-death-of-sheik-al-ahmar/#comment-503 So which of his six sons will succeed him? My money is on Hamid. But his slick businessman reputation could hurt him with other more traditional tribesman. So which of his six sons will succeed him? My money is on Hamid. But his slick businessman reputation could hurt him with other more traditional tribesman.

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