Public Debates & Opinions

On Yemen's Future and the Gulf Divide Over Stability

The Houthis’ renewed threats against Saudi Arabia and their declared willingness to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait have revived an old Gulf question: who can realistically restore stability in Yemen? While Gulf commentators broadly agree that the Houthis represent a serious security challenge and that Iranian influence has expanded through the movement, they differ sharply on the most effective response. Some argue that backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government has failed and that Gulf states—particularly Saudi Arabia—should instead deepen their support for the Southern Transitional Council (STC). Others insist that abandoning the legitimate state would only deepen Yemen’s fragmentation and strengthen Iran’s long-term position. A third group places Yemen within a much broader geopolitical struggle, arguing that Bab al-Mandab can no longer be understood separately from Hormuz or the wider competition over global maritime routes.