Riyadh’s losing strategy

Why Is Saudi Arabia struggling to secure victory in Yemen?

Despite investing hundreds of billions of dollars in advanced weaponry and receiving extensive military and intelligence backing from Western and regional allies, Saudi Arabia has failed to achieve its military objectives in Yemen or defeat the Sana’a-based government and its allied forces.

This episode examines the structural weaknesses of the Saudi military, the fragmentation of Riyadh’s local allies, and the growing challenges to legitimising its military intervention.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni agovernment and armed forces have significantly expanded their military capabilities, developed increasingly sophisticated missile and drone systems, strengthened their intelligence networks, and demonstrated an ability to sustain their resistance against the Saudi-led incusions.

The program also explores the vulnerabilities of the Saudi economy, particularly its heavy dependence on oil exports and the exposure of critical energy infrastructure to potential attacks.

With no clear military solution in sight, Riyadh faces an increasingly difficult strategic dilemma: pursue political concessions or risk becoming further entrenched in a prolonged war of attrition, with potentially far-reaching consequences for the kingdom’s regional position and internal stability.