Alex Stark
@alexstark.bsky.social
RAND. Enthusiastic Wellesley alum. PhD Georgetown. She/her. Opinions my own. Go birds.
I wrote this a few weeks ago, but it explains why the Houthis taking more territory around the Bab Al Mandeb Strait, as they did this week, is a problem: www.nytimes.com/2026/08/21/o...
Opinion | Never Underestimate the Houthis
With Iran exerting influence on the Strait of Hormuz, Houthi attacks on a nearby Red Sea passageway assume even greater importance for the world economy.
nytimes.com
www.crisisgroup.org/cmt/middle-e...
Yemen’s War is Returning | International Crisis Group
Exchanges of fire between the Houthis and their domestic opponents – as well as between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia – have rekindled hostilities in Yemen and adjacent waters. The chances of containme...
crisisgroup.org
Escalation in fighting on frontlines in Yemen in Taiz and Hodeidah: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/04/w...
Yemen’s Houthis Push Toward Red Sea Strait as Ground Fighting Escalates
The Houthis, an Iran-backed militia, appear to be trying to gain control of a port city near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key choke point for global trade.
nytimes.com
“The Houthis could reignite the war in Yemen, scuttle efforts to make a deal with Iran and draw the United States even deeper into the region’s conflicts,” Alexandra Stark writes.
Opinion | Never Underestimate the Houthis
With Iran exerting influence on the Strait of Hormuz, Houthi attacks on a nearby Red Sea passageway assume even greater importance for the world economy.
nyti.ms
It's out! The full "Handbook on Authoritarianism in the Arab World" is available open access here: www.bloomsburycollections.com/encyclopedia...
My book The Yemen Model argues that a short-term approach to “security” in Yemen that ignores the well-being of Yemenis themselves has repeatedly drawn the U.S. into conflicts in the Middle East: yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
The Yemen Model
A close look at failed U.S. policies in the Middle East, offering a fresh perspective on how best to reorient goals in the region In this book Alexandra S...
yalebooks.yale.edu
NEW: @madisonschramm.bsky.social, Caitlin McCulloch & I map out the paths to power for women leaders in the wake of crises and conflict in International Studies Review
Mapping the International Supply and Demand Side of Women’s Political Leadership in Crises
Abstract. In this article, we offer a theoretical framework outlining the conditions under which different types of crises, from wars to natural disasters,
academic.oup.com
AFP reports recently sacked defence minister, who travelled with the STC delegation to Riyadh, is being detained at the Saudi defence ministry, his family have been unable to contact him since he left Aden for Riyadh on Wednesday - added to the entire STC delegation already said to be incommunicado.
STC Vice President (not in Saudi) Hani bin Brek is calling for the UN "to urgently and immediately intervene for the release of the delegation of the STC detained in Riyadh, which was forcibly compelled in a repulsive farcical play to announce the dissolution of the Southern Transitional Council."
April Longley Alley explains the conflict dynamics underlying the latest escalation in Yemen. Wouldn’t be shocking for the Houthis to take advantage of the moment by renewing their offensive in Marib. www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Yemen’s Seismic Shift Has Consequences Beyond Its Borders
U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE are on a collision course in Yemen, as local forces threaten to reopen a war that could boost the Houthis, deepen Red Sea instability, and otherwise undermine the ...
washingtoninstitute.org
More escalation in Yemen today, with reports of airstrikes amidst clashes between (Saudi-backed) National Shield forces and (UAE-backed) STC-aligned fighters in Hadramawt.
For those interested in the origins of the Saudi-UAE rift in Yemen, my book,The Yemen Model, includes a discussion on pp. 83-89: www.amazon.com/Yemen-Model-...
UAE-KSA tensions getting spicy in southern Yemen after STC takeover
Jon Gambrell@jongambrell.bsky.social · 9mo agoAPNewsAlert: DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — UAE calls for 'restraint and wisdom' after Saudi Arabia's #Yemen strikes and disputes Riyadh's allegations against it.
The campaign to prevent and treat these diseases has seen great success thanks to a USAID program. Now that program is gone. n.pr/3KJ3iIq
The fight to beat neglected tropical diseases was going well. 2025 could change that
The campaign to prevent and treat these diseases has seen great success thanks to a USAID program. Now that program is gone.
n.pr
The death rate among children under 5 is expected to grow this year for the first time in the 21st century, researchers say. A key factor, they say, is cuts to U.S. and other foreign aid www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Child deaths under 5 believed to be rising for first time in decades
Cuts to development aid from several countries is a key factor, researchers said.
washingtonpost.com
This leaves the STC and its allies in de facto control of nearly all of the area within the borders former PDRY (ie South Yemen). A key 48 hours for facts being established on the ground...
"The new fighting underscores simmering tensions between the United Arab Emirates — a tiny but influential country in the Persian Gulf — and Saudi Arabia, which borders Hadramout and has cultivated deep influence there."
Separatist Forces Backed by U.A.E. Sweep Into Oil-Rich Yemen Region
nytimes.com
Last month, I had the chance to chat with the incomparable @profwhw.bsky.social about "Why Democracies Fight Dictators" on Battle Rhythm—check it out here!
Steve Saideman@smsaideman.bsky.social · 10mo agoMore Battle Rhythm!! I talk with Linna Tam-Seto about CAF personnel stuff and then @profwhw.bsky.social interviews @madisonschramm.bsky.social about her work on democracies fighting dictators. open.substack.com/pub/cdsn/p/e...
Goedert and Slim Reaper both under-appreciated this season imho
Brandon Lee Gowton@brandonleegowton.bsky.social · 11mo agoDallas Goedert has 7 TDs in 8 games this season. He had 8 TDs in 36 regular season games from 2022-2024.
Best piece I’ve read on Saudi’s comedy festival by a mile. Unlike standard critics of “-washing” (sports-washing, pink-washing, green-washing & now comedy-washing), Leber grapples w/ domestic drivers of regime behaviour—and w/ how many everyday Saudis feel. carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
Why do democracies fight dictators like Nasser & Saddam? In her new book, @madisonschramm.bsky.social shows how personalist autocrats provide a focal point for emotional imprinting, predisposing leaders in liberal democracies to view personalist dictators as hostile academic.oup.com/book/60422
Why Democracies Fight Dictators
Abstract. In Why Democracies Fight Dictators Schramm explores the dynamics that intensify conflict between liberal democracies and personalist regimes—poli
academic.oup.com
Another attack today on a cargo ship in the Red Sea, two days after a Houthi attack sunk the bulk carrier ship Magic Seas: www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/w...
Attack on Cargo Ship in the Red Sea Kills 2 Crew Members
nytimes.com
I have a new article out examining macro-level trends in the Saudi labor market. TLDR: "notable yet circumscribed gains for Saudi employees," "new competitive pressure, costs and risks on expat[s]," no "fundamental challenge" to reliance on foreign labor journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Saudization in a “Saudi First” kingdom - Andrew Michael Leber, 2025
How have efforts to “nationalize” workforces in the Arab Gulf monarchies affected citizen and expatriate employment in these economies? In Saudi Arabia, policie...
journals.sagepub.com
The Houthi armed forces announces their latest operations, acknowledge Trump’s truce declaration and say they remain ready to strike if U.S. attacks resume. Either way, they will keep hitting Israeli shipping and air travel until Israel leaves Gaza and ends its blockade. www.saba.ye/ar/video890....
القوات المسلحة تستهدف مطار "رامون" وهدفا للعدو الصهيوني وحاملة الطائرات "ترومان"
أعلنت القوات المسلحة عن تنفيذ ثلاث عمليات عسكرية، استهدفت مطار "رامون" وهدفا حيويا للعدو الصهيوني، وحاملة الطائرات الأمريكية "ترومان" وعددا من القطع الحربية التابعة لها.
saba.ye
Aron Lund@aronlund.bsky.social · last yr.Houthi leaders promise continued attacks on Israel in support of Gaza, say Trump backed down while they stood firm, etc, etc. Still nothing on whether they'll keep attacking merchant ships, which is a rather important issue right now. • 26sep.net/index.php/lo... • www.saba.ye/ar/news34772...
Breaking: Another F/A-18 fighter jet from the Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea, the second jet lost from the carrier in just over a week, per 4 people familiar w/the incident. 2 aviators ejected and were recovered by helo with minor injuries. www.cnn.com/2025/05/06/p...
Second US Navy jet is lost at sea from Truman aircraft carrier | CNN Politics
Another F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea, the second jet lost from the carrier in just over a week, four people familiar with ...
cnn.com
