Saudi Arabia is hosting the Expo and the World Cup while Houthi attacks (Ansar Allah of Yemen) pose a serious threat to the security of this country. This situation raises questions about Riyadh's ability to maintain internal security and its international interactions.
Apparent Calm in Riyadh
While Houthi missiles fall over Saudi Arabia, a surreal calm prevails in the capital. King Fahd Street, the main artery of Riyadh, is filled with traffic, and well-dressed women sip Japanese matcha tea in French cafes. Life in this metropolis seems to flow as usual, but bitter realities lie behind this calm.
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In just three days, Riyadh International Airport was targeted three times, resulting in at least 12 deaths and over 300 injuries. Despite the expansion of Saudi Arabia's network of security partners and multiple commitments for military assistance, the country still faces serious security challenges.
Saudi Efforts to Diversify Security Relations
Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has sought to diversify its diplomatic and security relations. Given the fluctuations in relations with the United States and increasing rivalries among Gulf Cooperation Council neighbors, Riyadh has been looking for new partners, including China and Russia. In this context, a high-profile agreement was signed in Mecca with Pakistan and Turkey, which is somewhat similar to NATO but with a more limited structure.
This agreement was signed to strengthen deterrence and demonstrate Saudi Arabia's strategic shift, but just two months later, Houthi attacks presented the first real test of this agreement. Currently, the impact of this agreement has not been significant, and neither Pakistan nor Turkey shows interest in joining a broader military campaign in Yemen.
U.S. support for Saudi Arabia is also extensive and deep. American officials quickly remind that Washington provides weapons, training, technical support, and military intelligence to Saudi Arabia. However, none of these actions constitute a binding security guarantee.
In this regard, many analysts believe that Saudi Arabia possesses one of the best military capabilities in the region after Israel. However, repeated failures to protect critical infrastructure, such as airports, are unprecedented for this country.
Challenges Facing Saudi Arabia
Recent Houthi attacks have raised the question of whether Saudi Arabia's command and control systems have been disrupted by the high volume of threats. Some reports indicate the increasing complexity of Houthi attacks and their ability to bypass radar systems. Even the most advanced air defense systems are not error-proof, and the inability to protect critical infrastructure, especially under current conditions, can have dire consequences.
Given this situation, it seems that Saudi Arabia must adopt new strategies to strengthen its internal security to prevent external threats, particularly from Houthi attacks.
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