John Mearsheimer, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, pointed out the difficulties that Ansar Allah has created for Riyadh while examining the recent developments in Yemen and the escalation of retaliatory attacks by Yemeni armed forces against Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure. He emphasized that these actions have had significant impacts on global oil markets.
Saudi Oil Crisis and Request for U.S. Intervention
Mearsheimer referenced the targeting of Saudi energy infrastructure by the Houthis and stated that they have also targeted Riyadh's main international airport. This situation has led Saudi Arabia to inform Europeans that no oil shipments will be delivered to them in the remainder of September, and oil deliveries will also be halted in October.
This university professor continued that Saudi Arabia has been searching European markets to secure the oil and gas it needs, which has also created problems for European countries. He mentioned Saudi Arabia's requests to the U.S. for intervention, stating that the country has asked Trump twice to take action against Ansar Allah, but Trump has not agreed so far.
Military Challenges for the U.S. and Houthis
Mearsheimer, in response to the question of whether Washington can play a role in organizing a military operation involving Saudi Arabia, Israel, and possibly Egypt, emphasized that the U.S. can organize such an attack, but there are two fundamental questions. He stated that one of these questions is the scope of the operation, and the other is that the U.S. is currently facing a severe ammunition shortage.
He recalled the Trump administration's efforts last year in the war against the Houthis, stating that these efforts ended due to a lack of ammunition and failure. Mearsheimer stressed that airstrikes alone are not enough, and ground involvement is needed to defeat the Houthis, which Trump is likely unwilling to undertake.
This political science professor also referenced the repercussions of the war against Iran, saying: "If you look at American polls, Trump's political situation is difficult. Diesel prices have risen sharply, and this situation will undoubtedly affect the economy and agriculture."
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