Episode Details

The Houthi rebels of Yemen have become one of the most consequential and disruptive forces in the Middle East. Backed by Iran but pursuing their own political and military objectives, they have survived years of warfare, Saudi-led intervention and an intense American bombing campaign.

In this conversation, Elizabeth Kendall, one of the world’s leading experts on the Houthis and Director of Girton College, Cambridge, explains the movement’s origins, ideology and leadership, its relationship with Tehran and its growing role in the wider regional conflict.

We also examine the Houthis’ latest escalation, their capacity to threaten Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure and their ability to disrupt shipping through the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Can Riyadh defend itself without American military support, and is Donald Trump prepared to help? What would reluctance or refusal to intervene tell America’s Gulf allies about Washington’s credibility and commitment to regional security? 

Finally, we consider what the Houthis rebels’ campaign means for global energy supplies and international shipping.

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Tom Switzer is a journalist and broadcaster who has been a prolific commentator on politics and international affairs. His writing and commentary have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times (international), The Australian, and across ABC and News24 (formerly Sky News), where he has been a regular presenter and panellist. For 30 years, since 1995, he has worked at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute, the Australian Financial Review, The Australian, the London-based Spectator magazine, and the Sydney-based Centre for Independent Studies, which he headed from 2017 to 2025. He is the host of Switzerland, a long-form interview series exploring global politics, modern history, and the ideas shaping the world.