Saudi Arabia's Last Chance: Normalizing Ties with Israel and UAE to Defeat Iran
Riyadh is facing an existential threat from the Houthis and Iran. The Houthis have effectively checkmated Saudi Arabia by severing two of its three vital oil-exporting routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
The kingdom's response has been limited to celebrating minor defensive intercepts while its state pundits remain silent. The Saudi military is vulnerable due to its reliance on outdated and makeshift weaponry, despite spending $83 billion, 7% of its GDP, on defense in 2025 alone.
To defend itself, Saudi Arabia must abandon its diplomatic paralysis and normalize ties with Israel and the UAE, which possess the proven capability to beat back Iran and the Houthis. The two nations have a track record of successfully countering Houthi advances on the ground and possess elite intelligence apparatuses and unmatched air defense capabilities.
Riyadh has spent the last two years picking political fights with both nations while trying to buy off the Houthis with passive ceasefires. The kingdom's military weakness is compounded by economic headwinds at home, including a national debt of 35% of GDP and a reliance on oil for growth.