The article argues that the post-Cold War era of U.S. unipolarity, established by the perceived invincibility demonstrated during the Gulf War, has ended. This decline is driven by globalization and technological diffusion, which have democratized advanced military capabilities, allowing regional actors to challenge major powers. Consequently, policymakers must prepare for a more volatile international order marked by frequent crises, heightened costs for securing global trade chokepoints, and reduced predictability from American power. The new rules dictate that great powers can no longer effortlessly impose their will through force.
Analysis: What do Houthi attacks on Israel mean for the Iran war?
English Summary
The Houthis' March 28 missile attack on Israel represents a significant escalation that reflects Iran's broader strategy of activating allied groups across the Middle East. This involvement threatens critical Red Sea shipping lanes and could trigger renewed large-scale Saudi-Houthi conflict worse than previous rounds of fighting. The escalation directly endangers Yemen's fragile peace efforts and threatens to deepen the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of civilians already facing severe food insecurity and limited healthcare access. The potential expansion of Houthi operations to target GCC infrastructure and Western military bases could dramatically increase regional instability and disrupt global energy supplies and shipping costs.
中文摘要
胡塞武裝於 3 月 28 日對以色列發動的飛彈襲擊，標誌著局勢的重大升級，反映出伊朗在整個中東地區動員盟友團體的廣泛策略。此舉威脅到紅海的關鍵航道，並可能引發沙烏地阿拉伯與胡塞武裝之間新一輪的大規模衝突，其烈度恐將超越以往。局勢升級直接危及葉門脆弱的和平進程，並可能進一步惡化人道主義危機，影響數百萬早已面臨嚴重糧食不安全及醫療資源匱乏的平民。若胡塞武裝將行動擴大至針對海灣阿拉伯國家合作委員會（GCC）的基礎設施及西方軍事基地，將劇烈加劇區域動盪，並對全球能源供應及航運成本造成嚴重衝擊。
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