The separatist movement complains of economic, political and cultural oppression by the north. Much of the south and east are beyond government control.

By Haley Sweetland Edwards, Special to The Times

Apr 22nd 2010 | ADEN AND SANA’A | From The Economist print edition

THERE is good reason to admire the craftiness of Yemen’s embattled president, Ali Abdullah Saleh. He has ruled northern Yemen since 1978 and its union with the once-independent south since 1990.