Saudi Arabia's attack by Houthi militants escalates, President Trump refuses military intervention

Saudi Arabia has recently been attacked by Iranian backed armed forces from three directions: east, south, and north. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's demand for President Trump to take military action against the Houthis in Yemen has been rejected. A Saudi oil tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the death of two crew members. Houthi militants defeated Saudi backed Yemeni government forces in the Red Sea, and drone attacks by Iranian backed Iraqi militia forced the closure of key oil pipelines in Saudi Arabia. Former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney stated that Saudi Arabia is currently very frustrated and the situation has escalated into the worst-case scenario. Saudi Arabia has turned to diplomatic channels, seeking new arrangements with Iran and other Gulf countries, and seeking mediation from China. (Source: The New York Times)