Colonel Mendes Dias, military specialist at CNN Portugal, analysed the Houthis' situation and their impact on fuel supply in the Middle East. The Houthis threatened a crucial route to Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about energy security in the region.
In his analysis, the specialist explains how the so-called "functional power" applies in the Middle East. This concept refers to the ability of armed groups or states to influence situations through means beyond direct military confrontation, such as control or threat to commercial and supply routes.
The Houthis' threat to this strategic route to Saudi Arabia demonstrates how non-state groups can significantly affect fuel prices and availability in the region. The potential impact on fuel supply shows the vulnerability of energy routes in the Middle East to this type of threat.
