What the lightning Houthi advance means for the world

The Iranian-backed Houthis have seized large swathes of territory in Yemen and taken control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a key shipping corridor between Asia and Europe. About 12 percent of global trade passes through the strait, including huge amounts of oil, so the move has sent energy prices skyrocketing. But, who are the Houthis? What’s their aim? And with regional powers wary of getting dragged into yet another war, who can stop them?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Dr. Elisabeth Kendall, president of Girton College, Cambridge, specialising in Arabic and Islamic studies.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Olivia Case, Robyn Simon.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Houthis seized strait ‘without a fight’. Now they’re bracing for oneFurther listening: Inside the West Bank crisis driving Britain to actClips: PBS, CBS, BBC, France 24, Fox News, ABC, CNN.Photo: Mohammed Huwais for Getty Images.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.