US-Houthi Talks Strain Saudi Ties, Push Riyadh Toward China

The United States has reportedly opened direct talks with Yemen's Houthi rebels while declining Saudi Arabia's requests for military intervention, potentially straining Riyadh's security ties with Washington. The refusal came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested U.S. air strikes on September 10 to halt Houthi advances along the Red Sea coast. Instead, Washington sent CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper to Riyadh for intelligence-sharing, while direct U.S.-Houthi negotiations occurred in Muscat, Oman on September 13. The Houthis are expected to officially close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to all enemy shipping, potentially disrupting up to 42% of global crude oil flows and 30% of LNG flows. This shift may push Saudi Arabia toward strengthening its geopolitical alliance with China.