By Carrie Garrett

This past Monday, June 18th, several of us attended the World Affairs Council Meeting at the Mission Inn to hear the Honorable Barbara Bodine Former Ambassador to Yemen. She spoke on “The Arab Awakening: A Democratic Tsunami or a Ripple on the Pond”

Yemen is a country about the size of California, no rivers or free standing water.

What an eye opening experience to hear her talk on the “Arab Awakening” she said that decades can pass and nothing happens and in two weeks a decade can pass. In contrast to the American population fifty per cent of the Yemen population is under twenty five and tend to be better educated than their parents.

They are open, aware of what is happening in the outside world.  One could ask what role social media played in  the awakening.  While the media cannot be given full credit but  could be considered a major player.

What role does America have in this  and do we have the tools or means?  The feeling is, it is better to lead from the rear rather than trying to lead people in a direction not of their choice.