Statements released by al Qaeda in Yemen — namely, in its publication, Sada al-Malahim (The Echo of Battle) — have provided further insight into the group's new operational doctrine and target- selection criteria. Moreover, they — along with the timing of attacks following Sada al-Malahim's release — have provided a lens through which to analyze the evolution of al Qaeda in Yemen over the past few years. Al Qaeda in Yemen's Leadership Following the attack on the USS Cole in 2000 and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Yemen became a battleground for counterterrorism forces and al Qaeda. There was initial success in the fight against al Qaeda — notably, the CIA-controlled drone hit on then-leader of al Qaeda in Yemen Abu Ali al-Harithi in late 2002 and the subsequent arrest of his replacement Muhammed Hamdi al-Ahdal in late 2003.