Source: Fortune
Summary
The Houthis have attacked a crucial port on the Red Sea, killing people and escalating the conflict in the Middle East. The attack on Mokha, a port in Yemen, was followed by a drone attack on an Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks, which are the latest in a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and its shipping in the Red Sea. The conflict threatens to reignite Yemen’s civil war. Meanwhile, Iran and Oman are working on a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and the Pentagon is pushing for a boost in weapons production.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
The Houthis’ attacks on the Red Sea port and Aramco refinery are a clear escalation of the conflict in Yemen. The fact that Iran and Oman are working on a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz suggests that the situation is becoming increasingly complex. The Pentagon’s push for a boost in weapons production is a sign that the US is preparing for a long-term conflict. The fact that Netanyahu is insisting that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas disarms suggests that the situation in the region is unlikely to calm down soon. The situation is entering a familiar phase of escalation and counter-escalation.
Author: Evan Null
