What's Suwalki gap? Europe's 'achilles heel' that it fears could be Putin's target
Tensions have arisen between Washington and Riyadh after the US declined to join Saudi Arabia's military campaign against Iran-backed Houthi forces. The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi ports, oil facilities, and the capital, leaving Saudi leadership questioning the reliability of the US security partnership amidst regional instability.
Why it matters
The US hesitation strains bilateral ties and creates broader geopolitical uncertainty over the security of critical shipping routes like the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
United States President Donald Trump’s decision to hold back from joining Saudi Arabia’s military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis has created a fresh strain between Washington and Riyadh, adding another complication to an already uneasy relationship.Saudi Arabia has asked the US to carry out repeated air strikes against the Houthis, according to a person familiar with the discussions. Washington has so far declined, leaving Riyadh to confront an expanding threat largely on its own.The hesitation is particularly significant for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has spent years relying on the US as Saudi Arabia’s main security partner while also trying to position the kingdom as a major global centre for business, trade and tourism.Saudi Arabia wants stronger US backingThe Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi targets after declaring a blockade of the kingdom’s ports in July.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in