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Revolution and Foreign Policy: The Case of South Yemen, 1967-1987 (Cambridge Middle East Library)

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The People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) was founded in November 1967. The PDRY ceased to exist when it merged with North Yemen in May, 1990 to form the Republic of Yemen.

What makes the history of the PDRY so interesting is the socialist orientation of its government. For over 20 years, the PDRY existed as an outpost of socialism and revolution on the Arabian Peninsula against a backdrop of theocratic and reactionary regimes that continue to exist in Saudi Arabia, Oman and the U.A.E.

From its founding until its demise, the PDRY's foreign policy was essential not only for its identity as a country, but also for its very survival. Yemen was, and continues to be, a very poor country amidst other Arabian nations with vast oil wealth. The wealthy nations of Arabia historically have condescended to the Yemeni people. Fred Halliday does a masterful job of tracing the history of the PDRY's foreign policy, showing how the government attempted to foster economic development by forging a close alliance with the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries. This alliance was necessary both for economic development and the establishment of a unique identity apart from the wealthy oil sheikdoms that neighbored the PDRY.

While the PDRY is defunct as a political entity, it continues to exist in the minds of millions of South Yemenis. As recently as November 2009, thousands of people rallied in the former PDRY capital Aden, demanding secession from the central government in Sana'a and the restoration of the PDRY. In light of both this and the current Islamist terrorist activity in Yemen, understanding the history of the PDRY is more relevant than ever. Halliday's book is an excellent primer on this largely forgotten, yet still relevant, country.