Alexis Knutsen

Alexis Knutsen was an Analyst for the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project. Her research focused on national security threats from Yemen, Horn of Africa, and the Gulf of Aden as well as the al Houthi movement. Alexis graduated with highest distinction from the University of Kansas where she received a B.A. in Classical Languages.

51 Results

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: July 27

Alexis Knutsen July 27, 2015 BRIEF

Anti-al Houthi forces, backed by the Saudi Arabian-led coalition under "Operation Golden Arrow," have expanded areas of control north of ...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: July 20

Alexis Knutsen July 20, 2015 BRIEF

Anti-al Houthi fighters now have the momentum and are continuing to take territory from the al Houthis. Yemeni President Abdu Rabbu Manso...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: June 22

Alexis Knutsen June 22, 2015 BRIEF

Islamic State in Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) militants carried out their fifth, and possibly sixth, bombings targeting the al Houthis since t...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: June 18

Alexis Knutsen June 18, 2015 BRIEF

Islamic State in Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) militants detonated four bombs targeting al Houthis in Sana'a, the second time ISIS has carried ...

Ramadan Bombings in Yemen: Part of ISIS's Global Strategy?

Alexis Knutsen June 17, 2015 ANALYSIS

The Islamic State in Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) claimed a coordinated attack in Yemen's capital hours after it occurred. The timing of ISIS'...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: June 16

Alexis Knutsen June 16, 2015 BRIEF

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) confirmed that a U.S. airstrike killed its leader and al Qaeda's general manager, Nasser al Waha...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: June 9

Alexis Knutsen June 09, 2015 BRIEF

The al Houthis fired a Scud missile into Saudi Arabia, marking the first time ballistic missiles have been used in the current conflict. ...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: May 27

Alexis Knutsen May 27, 2015 BRIEF

A senior Iranian military official acknowledged that al Houthi forces have been receiving Iranian training, the first time an Iranian mil...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: May 8

Alexis Knutsen May 15, 2015 BRIEF

Weapons sent to Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition may have been transferred to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), according to loca...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: May 1

Alexis Knutsen May 01, 2015 BRIEF

Yemen's ongoing crisis with the al Houthis is allowing pro-Islamic State in Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) cells to emerge throughout the countr...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: April 29

Alexis Knutsen April 29, 2015 BRIEF

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) continues to benefit from Yemen's crisis and remains in control of territory in southern Hadrama...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: April 21

Alexis Knutsen April 21, 2015 BRIEF

Saudi Arabia and coalition members announced the end of "Operation Decisive Storm" and the beginning of "Operation Restoring Hope" in Yem...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: April 17

Alexis Knutsen April 17, 2015 BRIEF

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is partnering with local tribes in Yemen's eastern Hadramawt governorate to seize and consolidat...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: April 15

Alexis Knutsen April 15, 2015 BRIEF

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is expanding its insurgent and terrorist operations and appears to be starting to control territ...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: April 10

Alexis Knutsen April 10, 2015 BRIEF

The al Houthis and allied military forces seized the capital of Shabwah in eastern Yemen, the farthest east the al Houthis have advanced ...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: April 8

Alexis Knutsen April 08, 2015 BRIEF

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) continues to make gains against Yemeni military forces in Yemen's eastern Hadramawt governorate....

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: April 6

Alexis Knutsen April 06, 2015 BRIEF

The al Houthis and allied forces have advanced into central Aden and have solidified control over northern sections of the city, cutting ...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: April 3

Alexis Knutsen April 03, 2015 BRIEF

Al Houthis continue to expand in south Yemen and temporarily gained control of most of Aden city despite coalition airstrikes. Al Qaeda i...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: April 1

Alexis Knutsen April 01, 2015 BRIEF

Saudi-led coalition airstrikes continued to target al Houthi military sites throughout Yemen for the sixth straight day. The al Houthis a...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: March 29

Alexis Knutsen March 29, 2015 BRIEF

Saudi Arabian-led Operation Decisive Storm continues to destroy al Houthi military targets with airstrikes. Saudi Arabia is also attempti...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: March 27

Alexis Knutsen March 27, 2015 BRIEF

An international coalition led by Saudi Arabia began airstrikes against al Houthi positions in Yemen in order to reinstall Abdu Rabbu Man...

The Yemen Mess Is Sparking a Full-Fledged Regional War

Alexis Knutsen March 26, 2015 ANALYSIS

Just when Yemen looked like it couldn't get any worse, this week the Houthis, a Zaydi Shia rebel group from northern Yemen that already c...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: March 25

Alexis Knutsen Daniel O'Keefe March 25, 2015 BRIEF

The al Houthis and allied military forces seized a strategic military base directly north of Aden from which U.S. troops withdrew days ea...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: March 22

Alexis Knutsen March 22, 2015 BRIEF

The United States announced it is withdrawing all remaining personnel from Yemen, citing the security conditions. Al Houthis and Abdu Rab...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: March 20

Alexis Knutsen March 20, 2015 BRIEF

The Islamic State in Iraq and al Sham bombed two Zaydi mosques frequented by al Houthis in the capital, Sana'a, killing over 77 people. T...

ISIS in Yemen: Fueling the Sectarian Fire

Alexis Knutsen March 20, 2015 ANALYSIS

The Islamic State in Iraq and al Sham claimed credit for a deadly attack in Yemen. The targets of the attack match traditional ISIS metho...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: March 18

Alexis Knutsen March 18, 2015 BRIEF

Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, still recognized by the U.S. and others as Yemen's president, is building a loyal military force in Aden and con...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: March 13

Alexis Knutsen March 13, 2015 BRIEF

The al Houthis, who have de facto control of parts of northern Yemen and the Sana'a-based central government, publicly strengthened their...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: March 10

Alexis Knutsen March 10, 2015 BRIEF

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) briefly seized territory in south Yemen and is continuing its campaign against the al Houthis. A...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: March 5

Alexis Knutsen March 05, 2015 BRIEF

Yemen's fragmentation continues as President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi works to solidify his tenuous grip on power in Aden. The al Houthis,...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: March 2

Alexis Knutsen March 02, 2015 BRIEF

The fragmentation of Yemen is well under way with two separate governments claiming legitimacy. President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi continu...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: February 25

Alexis Knutsen February 25, 2015 BRIEF

Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who resigned as Yemen's president on January 22, rescinded his resignation and appears to be establishing an alt...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: February 23

Alexis Knutsen February 23, 2015 BRIEF

Ma'rib tribes joined in the call to establish an alternative capital in Aden and announced their support for the recently resigned Yemeni...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: February 20

Alexis Knutsen February 20, 2015 BRIEF

Yemen's political factions remain at odds with the al Houthis, who continue to control the central government, despite reaching a prelimi...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: February 17

Alexis Knutsen February 17, 2015 BRIEF

A group of political leaders announced they would seek to establish an alternative capital in Aden or Taiz should the al Houthis continue...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: February 13

Alexis Knutsen February 13, 2015 BRIEF

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) carried out a successful attack against one of the largest military installations in southern Ye...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: February 11

Alexis Knutsen February 11, 2015 BRIEF

The U.S. closed its embassy in Sana'a and relocated American embassy staff out of Yemen due to security concerns over the threat from al ...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: February 9

Alexis Knutsen February 09, 2015 BRIEF

Efforts to renew negotiations between Yemen's political actors are likely to fail, and the al Houthis are pressing forward with their pla...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: February 6

Alexis Knutsen February 06, 2015 BRIEF

Weeks of negotiations to resolve Yemen's political crisis end with the al Houthis, whose actions led to the resignation of the Yemeni exe...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: February 4

Alexis Knutsen February 04, 2015 BRIEF

Negotiations to reach a political settlement in Sana'a collapsed when Yemen's main political parties withdrew from talks, indicating that...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: February 1

Alexis Knutsen February 01, 2015 BRIEF

The al Houthis issue deadline for Yemen's political parties to find a solution to the current political crisis. The al Houthis will proba...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: January 30

Alexis Knutsen January 30, 2015 BRIEF

The al Houthis are hosting a large tribal and political gathering in Sana'a, Yemen's capital, to discuss the political crisis. Meanwhile,...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: January 28

Alexis Knutsen January 28, 2015 BRIEF

The al Houthi leadership is beginning to back down on some of its anti-government rhetoric, indicating the group may be open to negotiati...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: January 27

Alexis Knutsen January 27, 2015 BRIEF

The al Houthis remain in control of the capital Sana'a as anti-Houthi sentiments throughout the country grow. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Pen...

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: January 25

Alexis Knutsen January 25, 2015 BRIEF

Regional factions are beginning to mobilize and refuse to recognize the authority of the Yemeni central government.

2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: January 23

Alexis Knutsen January 23, 2015 BRIEF

The resignation of Yemen's executive branch in response to al Houthi actions increases the risk of state fragmentation.

In Yemen, No Good Options Are Left: It is in Washington's Interest to Stop the Slow-Motion Collapse of an Ally

Alexis Knutsen January 22, 2015 ANALYSIS

The Sana'a showdown is a sideshow to the slow-motion collapse of the entire Yemeni state. Cui bono? Al Qaeda. Who loses? The United State...

Sana'a Under Siege: Yemen's Uncertain Future

Alexis Knutsen September 25, 2014 ANALYSIS

The al Houthi siege on Sana'a on September 21 sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to the repartition of Yemen. The al Houthis, whe...

Warning: AQAP's Looming Threat in Yemen

Katherine Zimmerman Alexis Knutsen August 14, 2014 ANALYSIS

The horrific images and story of 14 murdered soldiers that came out of Yemen on August 8 pale in comparison to those coming from Iraq and...

The al Houthi Victory in Amran

Alexis Knutsen July 09, 2014 ANALYSIS

While the Houthi battle against the state may appear a sideshow to many, the expansion of conflict with the Houthi to an area directly no...

Yemen's Counter-Terrorism Quandary

Alexis Knutsen June 26, 2014 ANALYSIS

Yemeni efforts since 2011 have reduced AQAP's control, but the escalating conflict with the al Houthis threatens to divert key resources ...

Yemen Situation Report

In Yemen, No Good Options Are Left: It is in Washington's Interest to Stop the Slow-Motion Collapse of an Ally

January 22, 2015

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Sana'a Under Siege: Yemen's Uncertain Future

September 25, 2014

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Warning: AQAP's Looming Threat in Yemen

August 14, 2014

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The al Houthi Victory in Amran

July 09, 2014

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Yemen's Counter-Terrorism Quandary

June 26, 2014