Saudi Arabia Finds Itself Adrift Amidst Middle Eastern Turmoil
Saudi Arabia's strategic position is becoming increasingly precarious due to converging conflicts in the Middle East. The kingdom has been hit by multiple attacks, including a recent strike on its East-West pipeline by an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq.
This has forced Saudi Arabia to send oil through the Strait of Hormuz, which has shown that Iran and its proxies can attack this route as well. The war between the Saudis and Houthis in Yemen has also reignited, with the Houthis announcing plans to close the Bab el-Mandeb to Saudi shipping.
The situation is an embarrassment for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has sought to make Saudi Arabia a regional hegemon. The kingdom's reliance on US protection has worn thin, and Trump's repeated rejections of MBS's calls for intervention have strained their relationship.