'Few cards to play': Saudi Arabia faces limited options against Houthis with allies out

For months, Saudi Arabia appeared fairly insulated from the war on Iran even as it engulfed smaller neighbours. In fact, Saudi Aramco, the kingdom’s oil company, chalked up bumper profits this summer thanks to its East-West Pipeline, allowing crude exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the East-West Pipeline is disabled because of a drone attack from Iran-aligned militias in Iraq. Houthi missiles and drones are hitting Saudi Arabian cities. A Houthi drone was even shot down over Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, whose custodianship is a point of legitimacy for the House of Saud. The Houthis have denied targeting Mecca. Saudi Arabia now faces a two-front war. Read more: Saudi Arabia faces limited options against Houthis with allies out