Yemen Culture

With the hoisting of a common red-white-and-black flag over two former capitals this week, the reunification of the Republic of Yemen closed the book on Marxism in the Middle East and signaled the emergence of a potentially important new political power on the Arabian peninsula. Separately, Western-oriented Yemen and its Marxist neighbor, South Yemen, were two of the poorest nations in the world, deeply divided by politics, religion and historic tribal disputes.

When a German engineer was taken hostage in Yemen last November, it made headlines around the world, reinforcing this nation's image as the Wild West of the Middle East, a place where gangs of armed tribesmen prey on foreigners.

Taken one at a time, the elements of traditional San'a architecture couldn't be more rational: geometric shapes in stark white; fine decorative motifs balanced by heavy stone blocks; arched windows suggesting the unity of the circle.

Abdul Hamid stuffed the yellow Mercedes into second gear, hit the gas and flung the car out into opposing traffic, eyeing the oncoming flatbed truck nonchalantly.