We need to talk about the Houthis threat

Chris Hughes reports on why it is possible that the Iran-backed Houthis could become a "significant terrorist threat"

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Yemen's Houthi fighters (Photo by Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)

Much has been said about the growing fear that Russia’s war on Ukraine will encroach further on Europe if Moscow is not beaten.

Although there is talk of a peace deal or an end to the war, this can only happen if Moscow’s economy and military strength is so far degraded it has no choice but to negotiate.

Either that or there is an outside chance of a catastrophic collapse of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule and the ensuing chaos that would follow.

But in the past week, intelligence analysts have been suggesting Europe also needs to keep an eye on the war in Gaza and Iran-backed groups supporting Hamas.

There is always the threat from Iran and its proxy groups in neighbouring Iraq, Lebanon, Syria - even in the Gaza Strip itself and it is getting bigger.

Iran and Russia have an increasingly dangerous alliance in terms of arms deals and enmity towards first America for its support of Israel and Ukraine.

Of course this means, as the junior partner, the UK is also under threat for the same reason and the schisms often merge.