The new geography of war: Why the Houthis can no longer be ignored

The Houthis have evolved from a local insurgent movement into the world's most consequential non-state military actor.

They have demonstrated an ability to challenge major naval powers and disrupt maritime trade routes like the Red Sea.

The Houthis project military power over distances once associated only with sovereign states.

They are often dismissed as an Iranian proxy, but this description no longer explains their strategic significance.

Understanding the Houthis is essential to grasping the changing geography of modern warfare.