Houthi attacks on strategic Saudi assets threaten Riyadh's regional leadership and economic ambitions

As the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen continues to escalate, Saudi Arabia's most important national priorities are increasingly at risk. On Tuesday, the Houthis hit the headquarters of Aramco, the Saudi state-owned oil company in Dhahran. On Wednesday, the Houthis vowed to continue attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities and Thursday, a cruise missile was intercepted over the Medina region. While it remains unclear who launched it, the mere attempt raises questions about Saudi Arabia's role as guardian of Islam's holiest places, the Saudi cities of Mecca and Medina.