in yemen, there have been terrorist attacks planned against the united states. so the u.s. is really hoping that this transition in yemen, that it's finally come around to the fact that president sala looks like he is going to go. they want to see if they can manage it so that counter-terrorism cooperation doesn't get interrupted. >> so it sounds like the u.s. is really complicated here about what to address first. does it also have something to do with the u.s. waiting to see what other country might take the lead? >> well, i think everyone always looks to the united states to lead, and we've seen in libya that on one hand the u.s. is saying, we're going to be in this partnership, we're going to help lead this partnership, but we're going to take a backseat on the military, and it's kind of like the world has this psychological view that they're looking for the united states to lead. so on one hand, don't want the united states to go it alone, on the other hand, what are we doing without the united states? and i think you've seen the u.s. kind of say, listen, you have some of these assets. you're the ones that really were pushing to go to the europeans