IntelBrief: The Houthis Continue Destabilizing the Region With No End in Sight

Bottom Line Up Front:

• The sinking or disabling of two commercial ships in recent weeks demonstrates that Western policy has failed to deter the Houthi movement or decimate its missile and armed drone arsenal.
• The responses by major powers affected by the Houthi attacks on global commerce have been disjointed.
• The Houthis have benefitted strategically from their Red Sea attacks, suggesting that they might escalate their demands even if the Gaza war ends.
• Options to deter the Houthis span a wide range, from accommodating some Houthi demands to significant military escalation against the group.