Yemen's President Who Survived Everything Except His Allies

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]The greatest political survivor in Middle East history was killed by the enemies he chose to trust. [music] It's 1978, Sana'a, Yemen.

[00:00:07]A young officer named Ali Abdullah Saleh takes power in one of the world's poorest countries. For 33 years, he plays a deadly game. He switches between Saudi Arabia and Iran, America and tribal warlords, always landing on his feet. Assassination attempts fail. Civil wars rage around him. He survives them all by never staying loyal to anyone too long. His secret is simple: make everyone need you, trust no one completely. But in 2014, the Iranian-backed Houthis rebelled against his government and win. For the first time, Saleh loses power. Then he makes the fatal mistake. He allies with the very Houthis he fought for years, thinking he can use them to regain control. For 3 years, the partnership holds. But in December 2017, Saleh decides to switch sides one last time and reach out to Saudi Arabia. The Houthis discover his plan. On December 4th, they surround his convoy in Sana'a and execute him on the spot.

[00:00:58]>> [music] >> The master of survival was Ali Abdullah Saleh.