The conflict between Iran and Israel has transformed Yemen into a central player in regional security. This analysis explores the Houthis’ strategic calculations, the growing importance of the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the political, economic, and humanitarian challenges shaping Yemen’s future.

The events of October 7, 2023, marked a turning point for the Levant, exposing long-standing structural weaknesses in governance, legitimacy, and state institutions. This policy brief examines how the decline of Hezbollah, Syria’s post-Assad transition, and shifting regional dynamics have created both challenges and opportunities for rebuilding resilient states. It argues that durable stability depends on inclusive governance, institutional reform, the conditional integration of non-state actors, and coordinated international support to strengthen sovereignty, promote political participation, and foster sustainable peace across the region.

China–GCC relations have historically been characterized by a deep economic interdependence, primarily dominated by the Gulf’s energy supplies to China.