Saleh is a dictator who has been running the country since 1978. He shoots perceived internal enemies - like local journalists and restless people in the north and the south - and double deals on AQ. If he doesn't do what AQ wants, they'll topple him. If he doesn't do what US wants, we'll bomb him.
Some may think the reason US wanted to repatriate Gitmo detainees back to Yemen was for target practice.
SNL captured it in a skit last night
http://armiesofliberation.com/archiv...ay-night-live/