Saudi Arabia Seeks Coalition for Red Sea Shipping Protection After US Rejects Intervention
In light of the US's decision not to intervene, Riyadh is urgently seeking to form a coalition to protect shipping routes in the Red Sea and shield the kingdom from Houthi assaults. Michael Ratney, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, noted that this American position has "deeply disturbed" Saudi leadership. During a webinar organized by the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington on Wednesday, Ratney remarked that the situation is "deeply frustrating, to say the least" for Riyadh. As a result, the kingdom is confronted with what is being described as a humiliating predicament while it searches for other options.
Key facts
- Saudi Arabia is working to build a coalition to protect Red Sea shipping
- The coalition would also defend the kingdom against Houthi attacks
- The US rejected intervention in the Red Sea
- Michael Ratney is a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- Ratney said the Saudi leadership was "deeply disturbed" by the US stance
- Ratney called it "deeply frustrating, to say the least" for Riyadh
- Ratney spoke at a webinar hosted by the Arab Gulf States Institute
- The webinar took place on Wednesday
Entities
Artists
- Michael Ratney
Institutions
- Arab Gulf States Institute
- South China Morning Post
Locations
- Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia
- Red Sea
- Washington
- United States