Despite all contrary evidence, the White House still holds that Yemen is a model of Obama’s successful foreign policy.
"Now that we have essentially complete chaos in Yemen, does the White House still believe that Yemen is the model in counterterrorism strategy?" ABC’s Jon Karl asked.
"The White House does continue to believe that a successful counterterrorism strategy is one that will build up the capacity of the central government to have local fighters on the ground take the fight to extremists in their own country," White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said.
Earnest’s answer has only one problem: The White House strategy to build a central government in Yemen has collapsed.
Houthi rebels, supported by Iran–the very country the White House is engaged in nuclear negotiations with–have overrun the failed state. The White House’s "calculated gamble" has crumbled in recent months with experts calling the strategy a miscalculation of the Arab Spring.
Karl called Earnest’s answer "astounding," citing the collapsed government, fleeing president, and Saudi troop increase along the borders of the country. The American embassy has been evacuated and the rebels attacked the air base used by the U.S. to launch counterterrorism missions.
The loss of Yemen means leads to a dangerous fallout for counterterrorism efforts in the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen has played a key role in combatting al Qaeda in the region.
"We do continue to enjoy the benefits of a sustained counterterrorism security relationship with the security infrastructure that remains in Yemen," Earnest said.
The White House remains in denial that their touted model of success is on the brink of civil war and has turned into an embarrassment for the administration in a matter of just a few months.