On 23 February 2023, in its TRENDS Conversation (10), TRENDS Research and Advisory hosted Dr. Michael Knights, Jill and Jay Bernstein Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and expert on military and security affairs in Iraq, Iran, and the GCC. The discussion revolved around his book 25 Days to Aden, as well as the regional dimension of the Yemeni crisis and his views on the country. The book is the first military account of the liberation war of Aden, as told by soldiers, sailors, and pilots who participated in it, especially those from the UAE.
Michael Knights discussed the reasons behind writing his book, highlighting that the military role of Arab forces in the Yemeni conflict was not well understood by some, potentially leading to misunderstandings and negative perceptions. He emphasized that his book provides an analysis of the Arab forces’ role in the conflict, shedding light on how regional military forces dealt with and resolved the crisis in the absence of international intervention. Knights explained that his book offers an insightful perspective on how regional armies conduct operations and the effectiveness of their independent measures to ensure security.
He emphasized that the book narrates a heroic tale of a decisive battle set against a dramatic backdrop of towering volcanic slopes, Victorian landmarks, beach resorts, and urban alleyways, drawing from years of direct conversations and time spent with the fighters on the ground. In his book, he illustrated how this pivotal and decisive battle brought together policymakers, civilian relief workers, and the military in partnership with local allies. He also delved into numerous combat narratives and detailed descriptions of Aden’s history, indicating that his passion for Yemen was another driving force behind writing his book.
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