In October 2000, as America reeled at the attack of suicide bombers on the USS Cole in Aden harbor, I urgently wanted to know: Why was Yemen a haven for terrorists? And why was a U.S. naval ship sitting in its harbor? As often happens after a catastrophe, the mainstream media was so intent on twigs that they weren't describing the trees, much less the forest. So I researched the history and culture of Yemen, including its geographical and economic situation. What I learned is summarized in this 6,000-word report. The same facts help explain the battles currently raging in Yemen. For this Kindle version, I've added a brief update covering the past 15 years plus 17 photos and maps.