Saudi Arabia's Houthi Conundrum: A Decisive Defeat Looms

Riyadh's anti-Houthi strategy in Yemen has been severely tested over the last two weeks, and it's clear that its assumptions have been proven wrong.

The Houthis have made significant gains on the Red Sea coast, capturing key territories and pushing towards Marib, the last major stronghold of forces loyal to the internationally-recognized government.

This would be a decisive defeat for the government, representing a loss of its last major population and revenue center in the north and severing its remaining foothold near the capital.

The Houthis have been emboldened by their recent successes, and it's clear that military pressure has not weakened them. In fact, they've only grown stronger, with no signs of backing down from their demands for compensation and a share of Yemen's oil and gas revenues.

The situation is compounded by the lack of support from Riyadh's partners, including Turkey and Pakistan, which have stayed out of the fight entirely.