Saudi Arabia Pursues Diplomacy With Houthis Out of Weakness, Expert Says
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Saudi Arabia's military efforts against the Houthis have been ineffective, according to Dr. Nachum Shiloh, a specialist at Tel Aviv University. He stated that Saudi airstrikes have failed to significantly impact the rebels, suggesting a lack of effective military capacity or will. Shiloh noted that key international partners have not provided decisive support, and Saudi Arabia's pursuit of diplomacy with the Houthis is driven by weakness rather than strength. The kingdom faces a strategic choice regarding its partnerships with the US, regional allies, and Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Saudi airstrikes have failed to significantly impact the Houthis, according to Dr. Nachum Shiloh.
- Saudi Arabia's pursuit of diplomacy with the Houthis stems from weakness, not strength, Shiloh stated.
- Key international partners have not provided decisive support to Saudi Arabia against the Houthis.
- Indirect intelligence exchanges between Israel and Saudi Arabia via Washington are a notable development.
- Saudi accession to the Abraham Accords remains contingent on Israeli-Palestinian progress, Shiloh noted.
Saudi Arabia's military might has not translated into victory against the Houthis, forcing the kingdom to reconsider its regional ambitions, according to Dr. Nachum Shiloh, a specialist on Yemen and Gulf countries at Tel Aviv University's Moshe Dayan Center. Shiloh stated that Saudi airstrikes have been ineffective in damaging the Houthis, suggesting Riyadh lacks the will or capacity to use its significant military equipment effectively. This stalemate is compounded by a crisis of confidence in its partners, as the United States, Turkey, and Pakistan have not provided the decisive support Saudi Arabia had hoped for against the Yemeni rebels. Indirect intelligence exchanges between Israel and Riyadh via Washington are a notable development, but Shiloh cautions against premature conclusions. Security cooperation does not automatically lead to diplomatic normalization, and Saudi accession to the Abraham Accords remains contingent on progress in the Israeli-Palestinian issue, which Shiloh sees as currently nonexistent. Saudi Arabia faces a strategic dilemma: deepen its partnership with Washington, rely on regional allies, or explore further cooperation with Israel. Shiloh concludes that Saudi Arabia's current preference for negotiation with the Houthis stems from weakness, not diplomatic conviction, highlighting the limits of a heavily armed regional power unable to convert material superiority into a decisive strategic advantage.