STRAT | July 11, 2025 | Houthi Threat Resurges: Global Trade and Security at Risk

In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer dives deep into the renewed threat posed by the Houthis—officially known as Ansar Allah—in Yemen. Drawing on historical, political, and strategic insights, Hal explores the group's Zaydi origins, Iranian ties, and the devastating toll of Yemen’s ongoing civil war. With over 150,000 lives lost and one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history, the Houthis continue to destabilize the region and disrupt critical global trade routes through the Red Sea. Their latest attacks—including the coordinated assaults that sank two merchant vessels—raise urgent concerns about maritime security, global shipping, and the strategic implications of potential military responses. Hal breaks down the cost-benefit calculus for regional actors, challenges of ground engagement, and internal leadership fractures within the Houthi movement. Tune in for an essential briefing on a threat that’s not going away.

Takeaways:

·      The Houthis have escalated maritime violence, targeting over 100 merchant vessels.

·      Their complex attacks now involve sea drones, anti-ship missiles, and coordinated assaults.

·      The Red Sea corridor—vital for $1 trillion in trade—is under severe threat.

·      Iran-backed and ideologically rooted in Zaydi Islam, the Houthis are a resilient force.

·      Military intervention faces serious terrain, tribal, and logistical challenges.

·      Leadership within the Houthi movement is contested, limiting decapitation strategy effectiveness.

·      Airstrikes have failed to fully degrade Houthi operational capabilities.

·      The global economic and security implications of continued Houthi attacks are profound and growing.

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