Yemen’s Houthis have struck four cities across southern Saudi Arabia, wounding more than 70 people and setting oil installations ablaze, including a Saudi airbase and facilities tied to the state oil company. It’s one of the most serious escalations from Yemen since the US and Israel went to war with Iran in February. Saudi Arabia has vowed retaliation, warning it will take “all necessary operational measures” against the group. Is this the next flashpoint in a widening Middle East war?
Join MEI for a conversation with two former top US officials who have worked directly on Yemen and Gulf security. Tim Lenderking, former US Special Envoy for Yemen, and F. Gregory Gause III, Associate Fellow at MEI and author of three books about the Persian Gulf will join Dr. Kenneth Pollack, MEI’s Vice President for Policy, to break down what’s driving this escalation, whether it risks pulling in other powers, and what could come next.
Timothy A. Lenderking joined Squire Patton Boggs as a Principal on June 1, 2026. Before joining the firm, Lenderking spent more than 32 years in the Foreign Service, specializing in the Middle East and South Asia, with multiple tours in both regions. He served most recently as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Near East Affairs, as the first ever US Presidential Envoy for Yemen (2021-2025), as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arabian Gulf Affairs (2016-2021), and as Deputy Chief of Mission and Acting Ambassador at the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2013-16), among many other foreign and domestic assignments.
Dr. F. Gregory Gause III is an Associate Fellow at the Middle East Institute and Professor Emeritus of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University. He is the author of three books and numerous articles on the politics of the Middle East, with a particular focus on the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf.
Dr. Kenneth M. Pollack (Moderator) is Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute. Dr. Pollack began his career as a Persian Gulf military analyst at the CIA and served twice on the National Security Council, first as Director for Near East and South Asian affairs and then as Director for Persian Gulf affairs.
