Sana’a Center
عــربي

The 13th Yemen Exchange An Intensive Online Course on Yemen

Online via ZOOM
October 26 – November 25, 2026 16:00–20:00 Sana'a / 9:00–13:00 ET
Mondays & Wednesdays.

Summary

The 13th Yemen Exchange is organized by the Sana’a Center and The Exchange Foundation. The course is designed to provide unique access to information, perspectives, updates, and analysis on Yemen for those seeking to develop a working background on the country, as well as those already thoroughly versed in its dynamics. During the ten-day online program, participants from around the world will listen to Yemeni analysts, academics, politicians, bureaucrats, business leaders, and international experts to gain insights and rare first-hand knowledge about the country from a wide range of perspectives. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with speakers virtually during the sessions and connect with them individually after the Exchange.

The sessions themselves – totaling more than 30 hours – will dive into several specific areas, including but not limited to: Yemen’s multifaceted conflicts, socio-political dynamics, internal divisions and alliances among parties to the conflict, developments in the southern governorates, military and political developments on the ground, the status of various armed groups, gender issues, the regional battle for Yemen, the international response, the state of the economy, the UN-led peace process, the Red Sea crisis, and a variety of other topics.

Speakers and facilitators

For security reasons, the names of some speakers based in Yemen have been withheld.

Abdulghani Al-Iryani

Senior Researcher, Sana’a Center

Abdullah Nasher

Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Sana’a University

Abdulrahman Bin Attayia

Journalist

Abdulraouf Saif

Yemeni Economic Expert

Adel Dashela

Researcher, Sana’a Center

Adnan Al-Jabarni

Researcher specializing in military affairs and the Houthi group

Ahmed Dahshan

Chief Editor, Center for Arab-Eurasian Studies

Akram Al-Amri

Minister of State

Allison Minor

Director, Project for Middle East Integration, Atlantic Council

Amjad Khoshafa

Researcher specializing in non-state armed groups and conflict analysis.

Amr Al-Bidh

The Special Representative of Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, President of the "South Arabian Transitional Council"

Bilqis Al-Lahabi

Gender and Civil Society Advisor, Sana’a Center

Brigadier General Sadiq Duwaid

Spokesperson, National Resistance Forces

Dina Esfandiary

Middle East Geoeconomics Lead, Bloomberg Economics

Elham Manea

Adjunct Professor, University of Zurich

Fabian Hinz

Senior Analyst, Conflict Armament Research

Farea Al-Muslimi

Research Fellow, Chatham House

Ghaidaa Alrashidy

Visual Data Specialist and Researcher, Sana’a Center

Haydar Al Shakeri

Research Fellow, MENA Programme, Chatham House

Helen Lackner

Research Associate at the London Middle East Institute SOAS

Hussam Radman

Senior Researcher, Sana’a Center

Jean Lambret

Anthropologist and Expert on the Traditional Music of Yemen

Jeannette Seppen

Ambassador of the Netherlands to Yemen

Joshua Rogers

Senior Advisor, Yemen Unit, Berghof Foundation

Khaldoon Abdullah

Yemen Country Technical Senior Specialist, Chemonics International.

Khaled Al-Kathiri

Tribal Sheikh

Khaled Monasser

Economist, Sana’a Center

Lara Uhlenhaut

Editor and Reseracher, Sana’a Center

Maged Al-Madhaji

Co-founder and Chairperson, Sana’a Center

Maha Awdh

President, Wogood for Human Security

Mai Darwish

Associate Professor in International Relations of the Middle East, University of Birmingham

Marie-Christine Heinze

Co-founder & President, Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient

Martin Griffiths

Former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator & Former UN Special Envoy for Yemen

Maysaa Shuja Al-Deen

Senior Researcher, Sana’a Center

Micheal Young

Senior Editor, Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center; Editor, Diwan

Mohammed Al-Basha

Founder, Basha Report LLC.

Mohammed Al-Hijri

Yemeni Musician

Mohammed Al-Qadhi

Senior Political Advisor, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue

Mohammed Al-Shuwaiter

Co-founder & Executive Director, Qanun

Mohammed Al-Wateeri

Senior Research Assistant, MENA division, Human Rights Watch

Murad Al-Arefi

Editor and Communication Officer at the Sana’a Center

Musaed Aklan

Senior Researcher for Water and Environment, Sana’a Center

Nadwa Al-Dawsary

Conflict Analyst and Policy Advisor

Ned Whalley

Editor and Researcher, Sana’a Center

Osamah Al-Rawhani

Executive Director of Policy and Partnerships, Sana’a Center

Patrick Simonnet

EU Ambassador to Yemen.

Peter Salisbury

Adjunct professor, Columbia University

Qabool Al-Absi

Chairperson, Qarar Foundation for Media and Sustainable Development

Ryan Bailey

Chief Editor, Sana’a Center

Saif Almuthanna

Washington Office Director, Anaween Center for Research & Transformation Studies

Sami Al-Amoudi

Secretary-General, Inclusive Hadhramout Conference

Samia Al-Aghbari

Journalist

Sanam Vakil

Director, MENA Programme, Chatham House

Sawsan Al-Refai

Expert in Public Policy, Strategy, and Advocacy

Tawfeek Al-Ganad

Arabic Editor and Researcher, Sana’a Center

Thomas Juneau

Non-Resident Research Fellow, Sana’a Center

Thurya Al-Dammaj

Editor-in-Chief, Yemen Future

Wadhah Al-Awlaqi

Chief Economist, Sana’a Center

Yasmeen Al-Eryani

Executive Director for Knowledge Production, Sana’a Center

Yazeed Aljeddawy

Research Manager, Sana’a Center

Zhao Zheng

Chargé d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador, Chinese Embassy to Yemen

Schedule

Week 1

Monday, October 26
Wednesday, October 28

Week 2

Monday, November 2
Wednesday, November 4

Week 3

Monday, November 9
Wednesday, November 11

Week 4

Monday, November 16
Wednesday, November 18

Week 5

Monday, November 23
Wednesday, November 25

Agenda

Welcome, introduction, and course rules

Mapping Yemen’s War: An Overview of Territorial Control

Who holds authority in Yemen today, and what are the roots of the current crisis? Using maps and political analysis, the discussion breaks down the frontlines, armed actors, alliances and rivalries shaping the war.

The Houthis

A closer look at the Houthi movement: where it came from, how it is organized, and how its political and military ambitions have changed over time.

The Rise and Fall of the STC

The STC became one of the most powerful actors in southern Yemen during the conflict before facing a sharp setback in early 2026. This session will look at what drove its rise, what led to its fall, and whether the STC has truly collapsed or is adapting to a new political reality.

The War Economy

Years of conflict have created new networks of money, influence, and power. This session looks at who benefits from the war economy, how those interests shape political behavior, and the implications for future peace.

Political Representative: STC

A conversation with the STC on the groups’ position today, the future of the southern cause, and the changing political landscape in southern Yemen.

The Tribal Order and the Houthis

Tribal structures remain central to life and politics in northern Yemen. The discussion looks at how the Houthis have worked with, challenged, and reshaped tribal authority in areas under their control.

The Cost of Speaking Out: Yemeni Women Human Rights Defenders

Yemeni women who take visible roles in public life often face high personal costs. This discussion looks at the harassment, defamation, intimidation and other pressures facing women human rights defenders and other influential Yemeni women, and what this means for women’s participation in Yemen’s public sphere.

Political Representative: Saudi Arabia

A conversation on Saudi Arabia’s policy toward Yemen at a time of major political and regional change, including its approach to security, the shifting balance of power in the country, and the country’s political future.

Yemen and the Chokepoint Crisis: Maritime Insecurity from the Bab al-Mandab to Hormuz

Yemen sits at the heart of growing tensions related to the region’s key maritime chokepoints. This session looks at Houthi attacks on shipping, regional escalation during the US-Iran War, international naval deployments, smuggling and arms trafficking, and the wider security challenges along Yemen’s coastline.

The Axis of Resistance after the Iran War

This session will look at how the Houthis interact with other Iran-aligned actors and what their evolution reveals about the changing balance within the Axis of Resistance. The discussion will explore what these shifts mean for Yemen’s domestic peace prospects and regional security.

Yemeni Music

Yemen’s musical traditions are as varied as the country itself. This session looks at regional styles, songs, and instruments, including the qanbus—an instrument that nearly disappeared—and how music has carried memory and identity across generations.

Houthi Military Capabilities and Smuggling

The Houthis’ military might has expanded dramatically, from missiles and drones to increasingly sophisticated maritime operations. This session looks at how those capabilities have developed, how they are being used, and how the recent conflict involving Iran could affect weapons supplies, operational capacity and the group’s wider regional role.

Decentralization in Yemen

Decentralization has long been part of Yemen’s political debate, but years of war have changed the question. As central institutions weakened, local authorities have been left with greater responsibility for providing services and addressing local needs, often with few resources. This session asks what those experiences mean for the future of local governance in Yemen.

Political Representative: South Dialogue

A conversation on who speaks for southern Yemen today, how different southern actors try to shape the political debate, and what their competing visions could mean for the country’s future.

Where Does Yemen Fit in a Changing Regional Order?

This session will examine Yemen’s place in Gulf and regional debates over security, development, logistics, and economic resilience. As Gulf states reassess their economic visions amid war, maritime disruption, and pressure on energy routes, speakers will discuss whether Yemen is being treated as a strategic neighbor, a security burden, or a missing piece in future regional planning. The session will also explore what these shifts mean for Yemen’s recovery, reconstruction, and long-term economic position.

How Can Tribal Law Contribute to Transitional Justice?

Yemen’s tribal justice traditions have long played a role in resolving disputes and restoring social order. This session asks how those traditions might contribute to accountability and reconciliation after conflict.

Political Representative: Hadramawt

This session will look at Hadramawt’s place in Yemen’s political future through the perspective of one of its most prominent local figures. The discussion will explore what Hadramawt wants, why its resources and security matter, and how its position could shape any future settlement in Yemen.

Salafis and Security in Yemen

Influential Salafi actors have moved from battlefield roles into positions of growing political and security influence. This discussion looks at how that shift is impacting power and governance in southern Yemen.

The UN in Yemen

This session will look at where the UN stands in Yemen today, as the conflict becomes more fragmented and regional dynamics continue to shift. The discussion will ask what role the UN can still play in mediation, humanitarian coordination, protection, and supporting a political process, while considering the limits of its influence on the ground.

China’s Role in Yemen

This session will examine Chinese interests in Yemen today within broader strategic goals related to the Red Sea, Gulf security, trade, and regional stability. The discussion will explore what Beijing wants from Yemen, how it balances political and economic interests, and whether China could play a larger diplomatic role in the future.

Can Yemen’s Government Fix the Economy?

This session will examine the economic challenges facing Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the reforms required to address them. The discussion will assess what the government has done so far, where it has fallen short, and what a realistic reform agenda could look like, including related to public revenues, currency stability, electricity, and oil exports.

From Yemen to Ukraine: How Yemenis Were Pulled Into Russia’s War

This session will look at how Yemenis were recruited into fighting Russia’s war in Ukraine, often through promises of jobs, salaries, or citizenship. The discussion will explore the networks behind the recruitment, including reported Houthi-linked intermediaries, and the risks facing Yemenis pulled into a foreign war.

The EU in Yemen

As regional powers take a greater role in shaping Yemen’s future, what influence does the EU still have? The discussion looks at European diplomacy and humanitarian support related to Yemen and their place with plans for longer-term recovery.

Can the Government Put Its House in Order Politically?

Yemen’s internationally recognized government faces deep internal divisions as well as pressure from the wider conflict. This session asks whether the Presidential Leadership Council can overcome those tensions and govern more effectively.

Yemen’s Water and Agricultural Dilemma: Food Security or Water Security and why?

This session will examine the difficult balance between strengthening food security and protecting Yemen’s scarce water resources. While Yemen imports more than 90 percent of its food, agriculture remains central to the livelihoods of more than 70 percent of Yemenis and consumes the vast majority of the country’s limited water resources, often through inefficient irrigation systems. The discussion will consider whether food security efforts risk deepening Yemen’s water crisis, and what a more sustainable approach could look like.

Yemen Online: Creators and Digital Storytelling

This session will explore how Yemeni creators are shaping how Yemen is seen and discussed online. The discussion will look at digital storytelling, humor, public debate, identity, and accountability, as well as the risks of creating content in a polarized and closely watched online space.

Yemen’s Aid Landscape: What Has Changed?

Yemen’s aid system is under growing pressure from shrinking funding, access restrictions, and changes in how international organizations operate. This discussion looks at what those shifts mean for local partners, aid workers, and communities.

The US and Yemen

This session will examine where US policy toward Yemen stands today, as the conflict is increasingly shaped by regional escalation, maritime insecurity, and shifting Gulf priorities. The discussion will explore how Washington views Yemen now, and how US policy is shaping diplomacy, security, and the country’s political future.

Debrief & Evaluation

This debrief provides a platform for candid feedback and an analytical recap of Exchange sessions. Sana’a Center experts will reflect on key insights, connecting overarching themes, emerging trends, and divergent perspectives. The discussion will go beyond formal talking points to critically examine underlying assumptions, contextualize competing narratives, and explore what may have gone unsaid.

Details

All costs related to The Yemen Exchange are funded by participant fees, except for scholarships provided by both organizations (see below). There is no supplementary government or private sector support, a fact that allows us to assure participants of a relatively independent platform for the exchange of information, open dialogue, and understanding.

All sessions are held under the Chatham House Rule, with some sessions consisting of only one speaker in order to assure as open and unfiltered a discussion as possible when covering sensitive topics. Simultaneous translation to English and Arabic will be provided.

Before the course begins, accepted applicants will receive a course syllabus and the final agenda. Throughout the course, necessary agenda updates will be communicated with the participants on a daily basis. Participants are encouraged to connect with experts and speakers after the sessions, to pursue deeper lines of questioning for their own work and research, subject to each speaker’s approval.

Applying for a scholarship & The Yemen Exchange currently has five scholarships (covering the participation fee) available for researchers who will deepen the social, political and geographic diversity of the Exchange and who can demonstrate both a lack of institutional support or ability to self-fund, and a deep interest in Yemen. For questions related to scholarships, email [email protected].

Participation Fees

1800 $
For governments & for-profit companies
1200 $
For NGOs, non-profit & UN organizations
500 $
For freelance journalists, unaffiliated researchers & academics
Free
For the recipients of five available scholarships

Apply Now

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