The Houthis are the epitome of 21st-century non-state actors

Outlet: EuroNews

Language: English

Abstract: The emergence of the Houthi movement as a significant non-state actor in the Middle East and North Africa region, particularly in Yemen, presents far-reaching implications for regional power dynamics, global trade, and security. Originating as a Zaidi Shia-led religious-political movement in northern Yemen in the 1990s, the Houthis have evolved into a formidable military force and a key player in the Yemeni civil war. Their primary political objective is to establish a Houthi-dominated government in Yemen, while their recent actions indicate ambitions beyond Yemen's borders, particularly in the Red Sea region, a critical global trade artery. The rise of the Houthis reflects a broader trend of non-state actors challenging traditional state-centric models of international politics, exacerbating conflict landscapes worldwide. As part of Iran's Axis of Resistance, the Houthis' influence has grown, demonstrating the efficacy of asymmetric warfare tactics and serving as a model for other non-state actors.

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