Saudi Arabia's Houthi crisis tests alliances with Trump, Turkey and Pakistan

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President Donald Trump's rejection of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's appeals to launch strikes against the Houthis on Thursday has dramatically highlighted the kingdom's growing vulnerability — and isolation — in the face of a renewed Houthi campaign for control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The crown prince telephoned Trump twice and was rebuffed both times, according to Axios, which broke the story.

The news, confirmed to Al-Monitor by a senior official based in the Gulf, came as the Iran-backed militant group reached the key island of Perim on Friday, at the narrowest point of Bab el-Mandeb. It followed Thursday's capture by the........

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