NATO - Key Terms from the Topic Synopis

Hopefully by now, you you have had the opportunity to read through the Topic Synopsis. If you are having some difficulty with certain terms, or want a quick refresher, here are some key terms to remember!

Key Terms

Topic A: Yemeni Civil War

• Violet Line : A boundary drawn to separate the Ottoman and British spheres of influence in Yemen. Called "Violet Line" because it was created by drawing on a map with a ruler, using violet ink. Used as the border between Northern and Southern Yemen, in the1960s, and was dissolved during reunification in 1990.

• Arab Republic of Yemen : After the Zaydis gained independence north of the Violet Line in 1918, they established the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen. Due to the death of the Ahmad bin Yahya, in 1962, the military took over and formed the Arab Republic of Yemen (ARY), also referred to as Yemen Arab Republic (YAR).  

• Ali Abdullah Saleh : A politician from the ARY party, who was put into power as the leader of the reunified, yet still unstable, Yemen in 1990. In 1994, the North finally defeated Southern separatist forces with external assistance, and Saleh was cemented into power. 

• Houthis : Traditional Zaydi Shiites who oppose "corruption" who want to return the Republic of Yemen to its Zaydi roots. Fought and won against Saleh forces in the early 2000's, and in 2011 joined with Southern separatists to demand Saleh's removal. Currently a major faction in the Civil War.

• Operation Decisive Storm : A campaign led by Saudi Arabia intended to give Hadi a decisive advantage against the Houthis in the north. Taken into action due to belief that Houthi victory might give Iran a foothold along Saudi Arabia’s southern border. The campaign failed and has instead created one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history.

• Port of Al Hodeidah : Also referred to as Al-Hudaydah, the port is an important pathway in getting humanitarian resources to the citizens of Yemen. With the Houthi takeover of Al Hodeidah in 2021, one of Yemen's last lifelines has been cut off. The result is an increase severity of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

• Map of Current Forces : https://yemen.liveuamap.com/

Topic B: Counterterrorism and Capacity Building: Securing the Mediterranean Sea

• Human Trafficking vs. Smuggling : Although often mixed up, human smuggling is different than human trafficking. Smuggling refers to the act of transporting individuals across borders, in this case over the Mediterranean Sea, who are there of their own accord. This often occurs for better employment and economic opportunities or escape from persecution and war. Trafficking is the transporting of individuals against their own will, often for malicious reasons, and victims are often put to work in exploitative conditions once reaching their destination.

• Operation Sophia : The EU's response to migrant smuggling. Made efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels and other assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. Part of the EU initiative to disrupt the business model of human smuggling, and train Libya in actively patrolling its waters.

• Operation Triton : Another EU response, led by Italy but a total of 27 countries, which focuses on border control, surveillance, yet places search and rescue as a priority. Works to also assist in the registration of the arriving migrants. Collects information about illegal activities and helps detect drug smuggling, illegal fishing and maritime pollution. Rescued upwards of 48 thousand people in one year.

• Operation Active Endeavour : The only Article 5 operation on anti-terrorism that NATO has ever had, started post 9-11. Aimed to disrupt terrorist activity in the Mediterranean. Goals were to keep seas safe and protecting shipping, track and control suspect vessels, and work with partner countries to keep track on terrorist activity.

• Operation Sea Guardian: Currently active in the Mediterranean, intended to take on 4 tasks at any given moment. Uphold freedom of navigation, conduct maritime interdiction, fight the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and protect critical infrastructure. Aims to reinforce maritime situational awareness, counter-terrorism efforts, and improve the monitoring capacity in the Mediterranean Sea.

• Lampedusa Tragedy : Off the coast of Italy, the island of Lampedusa is home to one of the worst tragedies in the Mediterranean. A boat of 518 migrants caught on fire off the coast of Lampedusa, and quickly capsized, the remaining migrants who could escape from the sinking boat waited in the water for 4 hours until a fishing boat heard noises that caused them to investigate. 366 migrants died, just half a mile from Lampedusa.

• Current NATO Operations : https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_52060.htm