As the threat of attacks from the Houthi rebels in Yemen looms large, Saudi Arabian authorities continue to issue warnings. Luciano Zakaria, an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Qatar, stated that it appears they are trying to ensure Saudi Arabia receives the message that the Houthis have both the capability and the political will to strike as many places as possible, or at least demonstrate that they can do so if they wish. The Houthis are being more cunning this time. They want the US to know that they are only interested in influencing Saudi Arabia and its economic capabilities. Regarding the Houthi alliance with Iran, Zakaria stated that if the US wants to "strangle" Iran's economy through a naval blockade and sanctions, then Iran and its allies can do the same. They can shift the cost of this war onto other oil-exporting countries. The Houthis now realize that merely achieving military progress is not enough; they must also make progress in strategically important areas to strangle the Saudi economy.
