Publication

This commentary discusses some of the reasons behind Saudi Arabia's decision to launch airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen in March 2015. The author contends that the attacks served to help the newly installed ruler of Saudi Arabia, King Salman, address a number of urgent domestic political needs by 1) strengthening the standing of his son as defense minister and as future king; 2) rallying popular support among nationalist Saudis who are fearful of an expansionist Shia Iran; and 3) establishing Saudi hegemony in the Sunni world.