Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies

The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies is an independent Yemeni think tank established in 2014 around the ideals of democracy and a civil state. It researches Yemen’s political, economic, social, security, and humanitarian conditions and seeks to translate locally grounded analysis into practical influence on public policy. Its work addresses audiences inside Yemen as well as regional governments, international organizations, researchers, journalists, and other actors engaged with the country and the wider Middle East. The center emerged during a period of profound political transition and conflict in Yemen. Its stated purpose has included challenging simplified or inaccurate portrayals of Yemen in Western policy and media circles, while also examining narratives advanced by the various parties involved in the Yemeni civil war. The organization places particular emphasis on voices and issues that can be marginalized in conflict analysis, including youth, women, and minorities. Originally based in Sana’a, the center later moved its headquarters to Aden. Despite the severe operating constraints created by Yemen’s conflict, it has continued to maintain a substantial presence across the country. Its model relies on locally connected researchers and contributors, with attention to their safety and to the practical realities of conducting research in different parts of Yemen. The center describes its approach as independent and neutral, while maintaining working relationships and communication with major conflict stakeholders and other relevant figures. A central feature of the Sana’a Center’s positioning is its emphasis on inclusive peace work. Rather than limiting its output to high-level diplomatic analysis, it seeks to connect research with solutions that can be implemented on the ground. Its publications and articles are produced in both Arabic and English, helping it serve domestic Yemeni readers while also participating in international policy debates. The center additionally provides consulting services to local and international stakeholders. International media and policy organizations have frequently drawn on the center’s researchers and publications when covering Yemen. The Peace Research Institute Oslo has characterized its analysis of Yemen’s political, economic, and social dynamics as authoritative, while the Middle East Institute has described it as Yemen’s premier think tank. These assessments reflect the center’s role as one of the relatively few independent research organizations continuing to operate with a meaningful footprint inside Yemen. Its present identity combines Yemeni ownership of the research agenda, international accessibility, and an attempt to preserve analytical independence amid a prolonged civil war.

The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies was founded in 2014 in Yemen, during a period marked by political instability, institutional fragmentation, and the escalation of conflict. Its founding ideals centered on democracy and the creation of a civil state. From the outset, the organization positioned itself as a research institution intended to improve understanding of Yemen and to influence public policy at local, regional, and international levels. The center’s early work developed in response to a policy environment in which Yemen was often interpreted through simplified security narratives or through the competing accounts of the parties to the conflict. It sought to provide research rooted in Yemeni realities and to correct misconceptions about the country in international discussion. Its agenda has covered political developments, economic conditions, social dynamics, security issues, and the effects of conflict and peace processes. The organization has also consistently highlighted youth, women, and minorities. Farea al-Muslimi, identified as a co-founder, served as the center’s first chairperson from 2014 through 2022. During its development, the institution built a network of researchers and contributors with connections across Yemen. This local reach became particularly important as the civil war made travel, fieldwork, and independent reporting difficult. The center has emphasized contributor safety and has maintained a presence in multiple parts of the country rather than limiting its work to a single political or geographic constituency. The organization was originally headquartered in Sana’a but later moved its headquarters to Aden. The relocation reflected the country’s changing political and security geography, while the center continued to operate as a Yemeni institution with activity extending beyond its formal base. Its relationships with stakeholders and major belligerents have enabled access to a wide range of perspectives. At the same time, the center has presented itself as independent and neutral rather than aligned with a particular side of the war. A defining evolution in the center’s work has been its focus on inclusive peace work. Its research has aimed not only to describe elite political negotiations but also to consider how proposed solutions can function in communities and institutions on the ground. This orientation has supported engagement with local and international actors seeking a better understanding of the conflict and possible pathways toward peace. The Sana’a Center publishes in Arabic and English, allowing it to address Yemeni audiences and participate in international research and policy networks. It also offers consulting services to local and international stakeholders. Its researchers and reports have been cited by international media and policy organizations, contributing to the center’s reputation as a significant source of independent Yemen analysis. The Peace Research Institute Oslo has regarded its research on Yemen’s political, economic, and social dynamics as authoritative, and the Middle East Institute has referred to it as Yemen’s premier think tank. The center remains active as an independent research and policy organization. Its distinctive role comes from combining international-facing analysis with local access, a broad national footprint, and continued attention to groups and perspectives that can be overlooked in conventional conflict reporting. Because the available reference material does not establish a complete leadership roster, ownership structure, or detailed chronology of individual programs, those elements remain unlisted here.

• 2022

  End of Farea al-Muslimi’s first chairpersonship

  [1]Sana'a Center for Strategic Studiesen.wikipedia.org

  Farea al-Muslimi’s tenure as the center’s first chairperson concluded after eight years.

• 2014

  Center founded

  [1]Sana'a Center for Strategic Studiesen.wikipedia.org

  The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies was established in Yemen around the principles of democracy and a civil state.

• 2014

  Farea al-Muslimi begins chairpersonship

  [1]Sana'a Center for Strategic Studiesen.wikipedia.org

  Co-founder Farea al-Muslimi became the center’s first chairperson, a role he held until 2022.

An independent, locally grounded Yemeni think tank that connects on-the-ground research with regional and international policy analysis while emphasizing neutrality, inclusive peace work, and the perspectives of groups often underrepresented in conflict debates.

• Research publication

  Research reports

  Substantive studies examining Yemen’s political, economic, social, security, and conflict-related conditions. The reports are designed to support public understanding and policy deliberation among Yemeni, regional, and international audiences.

• Analysis and commentary

  Policy analysis and articles

  Arabic- and English-language analytical articles and briefings that interpret current developments in Yemen and the wider region. These outputs help connect field-informed perspectives with international media, diplomatic, and research discussions.

• Professional services

  Consulting and advisory services

  Research and consulting support for local and international stakeholders seeking analysis of Yemen’s political, economic, social, and security environment. The available reference material does not specify the service’s contractual structure or client roster.

1. 1Sana'a Center for Strategic Studiesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies official websitesanaacenter.org