Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
The U.S. and UK’s recent airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen have thrown the Red Sea into the global spotlight. After months of attacks on commercial ships, Washington re-labeled the Houthis as a terrorist group—but the Iran-backed militants vow to keep fighting until Israel’s Gaza offensive ends. “This isn’t just about Yemen,” says Prof. Robert Kelly of Pusan National University. “The Houthis see themselves as part of a regional resistance against Western influence.”
Why It’s Complicated
The Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including strategic Red Sea coastlines. While their attacks disrupt global shipping, Foad Izadi of the University of Tehran argues Western retaliation could backfire: “Military strikes often rally local support for groups like the Houthis. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break.”
Can Diplomacy Work?
Wang Jin, a Chinese scholar, suggests the UN and regional powers like Saudi Arabia must push for Gaza-focused solutions to ease tensions. But Prof. Glenn Diesen warns: “The U.S. and Houthis are speaking different languages—one about security, the other about solidarity with Palestinians.”
As cargo ships reroute and oil prices wobble, the world is left wondering: Will this become another forever war?
After months of attacks on commercial ships, Washington re-labeled the Houthis as a terrorist group—but the Iran-backed militants vow to keep fighting until Israel’s Gaza offensive ends. 
“This isn’t just about Yemen,” says Prof. Robert Kelly of Pusan National University. “The Houthis see themselves as part of a regional resistance against Western influence.”
While their attacks disrupt global shipping, Foad Izadi of the University of Tehran argues Western retaliation could backfire: “Military strikes often rally local support for groups like the Houthis. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break.”
But Prof. Glenn Diesen warns: “The U.S. and Houthis are speaking different languages—one about security, the other about solidarity with Palestinians.”
