In Yemen, China exploits US security gap while seeking to curb Houthis

AI Summary

China is exploiting a security gap left by the United States in Yemen as it seeks to diplomatically and economically curb the advances of the Houthi movement around Bab al-Mandab. The situation represents a weakening of the US-led Gulf security architecture amid regional tensions.

The Houthis’ advances around Bab al-Mandab point to another crack in the US-led Gulf security architecture—one China could gain from diplomatically and economically, even as it seeks to prevent a wider regional escalation.