The Houthis’ forever war

·50 min·5 clips

The Houthis have launched attacks on Red Sea shipping, threatening to halt oil shipments and sparking a regional crisis.

The episode begins by setting the context of the Middle East conflict since October 2023, highlighting the Houthis' emergence as a key regional actor aligned with Iran's Axis of Resistance. Host Jack Dickens introduces Elizabeth Kendall, an expert on Yemen and the Houthis, to answer questions about their motivations and impact. Kendall explains that the Houthis delayed intervening in the Iran-Israel war to choose an opportune moment, having survived years of airstrikes from Saudi Arabia, the US, UK, and Israel. She discusses their main card: targeting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to choke off oil shipments, which could spike global oil prices and disrupt trade. Kendall provides proof of concept from 2023-2024, when Houthi attacks reduced Red Sea trade by 80% and increased insurance costs. She notes the Houthis' confidence from surviving intense US airstrikes in 2025. The conversation shifts to the Houthis' relationship with Iran, clarifying they are not a direct proxy but have agency while sharing ideological slogans like 'death to America'. Kendall delves into the religious demography of Yemen, explaining the Zaydi Shia (Fivers) beliefs of the Houthis and differences from Iran's Twelver Shia. She traces the Houthis' origins to the 1990s as a revivalist movement against Saudi influence, evolving into a militant force by 2004. Kendall describes the Houthis as a mix of religious, economic, and political motivations, controlling two-thirds of Yemen's population. She highlights their sophisticated propaganda using TikTok, poetry, and news channels to inspire followers and control youth. The episode covers the anti-Houthi coalition's recent unification efforts and the Houthis' opportunistic use of the Palestinian cause for domestic and regional popularity. Kendall suggests resolving the Palestinian issue would help mitigate Houthi narratives. She predicts the Houthis may harass shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb to pressure the US and Israel, but will calibrate actions to avoid existential threats.

As heard by us

A patient, historically grounded guide to the Houthis' roots and Red Sea pressure campaign.

This episode treats the Houthis as more than a shorthand for Iran-backed disruption. Jack Dickens's conversation with Elizabeth Kendall starts in Yemen's Zaydi, or "Fiver," Shia tradition, using its ideas of leadership, succession, and authority to explain why the movement's…

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Why you'd press play

You get a clear map of why the Houthis keep pressure on the Red Sea while trying not to trigger a campaign that could threaten them.

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