Saudi Arabia's Yemen Crisis Threatens Energy Security and Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia is worried because fighting in Yemen is moving closer to important sea routes.

The Houthis have advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and toward the Bab al-Mandeb waterway.

This matters because another important route, the Strait of Hormuz, is already badly disrupted.

Saudi Arabia uses western ports and the East-West Pipeline as alternatives for moving energy.

But those alternatives are less useful if the Red Sea becomes unsafe.

Saudi leaders do not want to begin another long war in Yemen.

They also cannot easily ignore attacks on their cities, energy facilities, or shipping.

The article says diplomacy must address both Yemen’s internal problems and the wider disagreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The crisis could make Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic plans harder to achieve.