Alhurra published on 30 December 2025 an article titled "The Red Sea Shifts from Saudi Control to Global Power Rivalry" by Sukina Ali.
The militarization of the Red Sea by international powers has diminished Saudi Arabia's influence in the strategic waterway. The Red Sea has been transformed from a region potentially governed by Saudi-led shared regional management to one ruled by the interests of overlapping external powers.
Bloomberg published on 1 May 2025 an article titled "How the Houthi Red Sea Ship Attacks Upended Global Trade" by Alex Langley, Paul Wallace, and Caroline Alexander.
Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea have caused the biggest disruption to global trade since the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing many ships to reroute around the southern tip of Africa. Since November 2023, the Iranian-backed Houthis attacked more than 130 vessels in the Red Sea as of early March 2025. Traffic through the Red Sea is 71 percent lower than 2023 levels and insurance is as much as ten times higher.
The International Crisis Group has just posted a visual explainer titled "The Houthis' Red Sea Attacks Explained." It provides a nice visual summary of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea up to the recent response by the Trump administration.
Reuters published on 25 March 2025 an article titled "What Are the US and Europe Doing to Counter Houthi Strikes in the Red Sea?"
The article looks at the steps taken by Europe and the Biden administration to counter Houthi attacks in the Red Sea since they began more than a year ago. It updates the situation following the most recent strikes against the Houthis by the Trump administration.
Shipuniverse.com published on 26 March 2025 an article titled "Red Sea Tensions Disrupt Global Shipping as Houthi Attacks Intensify."
The article explains the impact of Houthi attacks on international shipping and the way forward following the US air strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.
The US Naval Institute News published on 2 January 2025 an article titled "Top Stories 2024: The Battle Between the Houthis and Commercial Shipping" by Heather Mongilio.
This is a review of Houthi attacks during 2024 on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and efforts by the United States and United Kingdom to bring them to an end.
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy published on 16 December 2024 an analysis titled "Houthi Shipping Attacks: Patterns and Expectations for 2025" by Noam Raydan and Farzin Nadimi.
A ceasefire in Gaza could pave the way for a diplomatic solution to the Houthi Red Sea crisis. On the other hand, a tough policy towards Iran by the Trump administration could result in more attacks on commercial shipping in the region.
The East-West Center published on 18 October 2024 a bulletin titled "Connecting West and East: Indian Ocean Security and the US Indo-Pacific Strategy" by Nilanthi Samaranayake.
Washington appears to be increasingly recognizing the importance of the western Indian Ocean, suggesting that it may be starting to conceive of the Indian Ocean as a region on its own terms.
The Atlantic Council published on 9 August 2024 a report titled "What Attacks on Shipping Mean for the Global Maritime Order" by Elisabeth Braw.
This report discusses the history of attacks on shipping, the rules implemented to keep shipping safe, and the new and serious threat posed by Houthi attacks. The focus of the report is on the current Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
Foreign Policy published on 1 July 2024 an article titled "Why Can't the U.S. Navy and Its Allies Stop the Houthis?" by Keith Johnson and Jack Detsch.
The allied military response to stop Houthi missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and beyond has not succeeded. While the authors don't fully answer the question why the counter measures have not worked, they note that not enough ships are in the region to deal with the attacks. In addition, it is far more expensive to down a missile or drone than the cost of the projectiles being neutralized. The high cost of the operation is raising serious concerns.
The International Crisis Group posted on 28 June 2024 a 47-minute podcast titled "Houthi Strikes, Red Sea Shipping and Yemen's War" with Richard Atwood and Ahmed Nagi.
The discussion covers attacks by Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean and the prospects for an escalation of the conflict both in Yemen and the broader region. The podcast unpacks what the Houthis are trying to achieve with the attacks, which the group has linked to the war in Gaza, and their relations with Iran and other members of the "axis of resistance". It assesses how effective the U.S. and UK-led military response has been in deterring Houthi strikes.
The What is Going on With Shipping? channel posted on YouTube on 14 June 2024 a 21-minute video titled "Whose Prosperity Are We Guarding?"
Houthi missile and drone attacks from Yemen aimed at international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have driven up the cost of war risk insurance even if they have had minimal success in actually hitting ships. They have also caused a significant reduction in the passage of ships through the Suez Canal and Red Sea. At the same time, the number of American and European navy vessels protecting shipping through the Red Sea is down.
Most of the ships still navigating these waters are associated with China, Russia, Iran, and Global South countries. This raises the question as to who should be providing the protection and the most effective way to do it. The author of the video suggests it is time to institute convoy operations for those ships passing through the Red Sea whose owners are willing to pay a fee for the service. At the moment, Western navies are providing protection for very few ships that have any connection with Western countries.
The Atlantic Council posted on 16 May 2024 a commentary titled "The Red Sea Attacks Highlight the Erosion of US Leadership in the Region" by Jean-Loup Samaan.
The author spells out why the United States had difficulty in finding partners for Operation Prosperity Guardian, which is designed to prevent or defeat Houthi missile and drone attacks from Yemen on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Comment: While the response to joining Operation Prosperity Guardian was disappointing, the fact remains that collective efforts, especially the one led by the United States and the United Kingdom, have been instrumental in significantly reducing attacks on international shipping by the Houthis. In the end, the United States will be judged on its ability to end the attacks, not the number of countries it signed up for the operation.
Breaking Defense published on 25 March 2024 an article titled "Purported Houthi Strike on Chinese Vessel in Red Sea Likely a 'Mistake': Experts" by Agnes Helou.
The Houthi missile attack on the Chinese-owned M/V Huang Pu is generally believed to have been an intelligence failure by the Houthi rebels rather than an attempt to target Chinese interests. Russia and China had earlier been informed by the Houthis that their ships would be exempt from attacks.
Comment: While this is probably the case, the incident still underscores for all shipping interests, including those with Chinese and Russian connections, the danger the Houthis pose for everyone in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden..
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute published on 14 March 2024 a commentary titled "The Red Sea Crisis, Food Security and Conflict" by Saba Sinai, CQUniversity, Australia.
Houthi attacks on commercial shipping through the Red Sea are disrupting supply chains and contributing to global food insecurity and conflict, including the situation in Yemen itself.
The South China Morning Post published on 4 March 2024 an article titled "Why China's Red Sea Diplomatic Mission Is Unlikely to Stop Houthi Shipping Attacks" by Zhao Ziwen.
China's policy on Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping is one of maintaining a low profile and distancing itself from the policy and actions of Western countries.
The Cradle Posted on 28 February 2024 a commentary titled "China's Unexpected Gains from the Red Sea Crisis" by Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics in Washington.
The author argues that by rejecting engagement with the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea has bolstered China's regional image as a defender of the Palestinian cause. China has capitalized on growing anger directed at the US and UK in the Islamic world and the Global South. China's political gains appear to trump any associated financial loses.
Aljazeera posted on 22 February 2024 an interactive "Mapping the Red Sea Attacks" by Hanna Duggal and Mohammed Haddad. This informative presentation shows how Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have impacted international trade.
The Diplomat published on 10 February 2024 a commentary titled "What Does China Think About India's Increased Anti-Piracy Patrols Amid the Red Sea Crisis?" by Andrew Orchard, US Navy officer.
Ten or more Indian Navy ships with reconnaissance aircraft now patrol the western Indian Ocean. Between $235-240 billion worth of India's annual trade passes through the Red Sea. While Chinese experts understand the importance of Indian Ocean SLOCs to New Delhi, they are skeptical of New Delhi's intentions and see the increased Indian naval presence as an effort to control this region.
China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE) published on 15 February 2024 a commentary titled "China's Cautious Response to the Red Sea Crisis" by Dominika Urhova.
The author concluded that in spite of China's rhetoric and Global Security Initiative, Beijing's lack of capacity and interest in actively participating in the protection of Red Sea shipping lanes might be a sign of its inability to shape the global and regional security architecture.
The Atlantic Council published on 13 February 2024 an analysis titled "China Is Testing Its Freeriding Strategy in the Red Sea" by Leonie Allard.
China is freeriding on US and European security efforts in the Red Sea to enhance its own presence and influence in the Gulf of Aden and northwestern Indian Ocean. It is reaping benefits while others secure the shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
