Iran's 'last man standing': Will weakening Houthis put Iran's Middle East plans to bed? - analysis

Analysis examines whether a new offensive against the Houthis in Yemen could succeed, reshaping the Middle East. The article argues that while Iran's regime has withstood US and Israeli strikes, a blockaded and weakened Iran may struggle to support its proxies. The Houthis are described as the 'last man standing' among Iranian proxies, as Hezbollah and Hamas have been degraded. The piece cites expert analysis on Houthi vulnerabilities in defending cities and coastal areas, suggesting that a multi-front offensive could dislodge them.

Analysis examines whether a new offensive against the Houthis in Yemen could succeed, potentially reshaping the Middle East. The article argues that while Iran's regime has withstood US and Israeli strikes from February, a blockaded and weakened Iran may struggle to support its proxies. The Houthis are described as the 'last man standing' among Iranian proxies, as Hezbollah and Hamas have been degraded. The piece cites Michael Knights, an expert on Yemen, who notes that the Houthis are 'serially poor at defending cities and coastal areas' but would be harder to dislodge from highlands. He suggests a 'concentric attack on more than six fronts with air power' as a winning formula. The article contrasts the current situation with a decade ago, when Iran felt it controlled much of the region under Qasem Soleimani. It concludes that while Iran has seen successes, pressure on its proxies could lead to lasting defeat.