Saudi Arabia is seeking to form an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. This move is intended to counter the Houthis’ escalating attacks on energy tankers, which have driven up oil prices. On July 20, the Houthis announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and claimed to have attacked Saudi vessels. Saudi Arabia, in turn, carried out airstrikes on Houthi facilities. The escalating tensions in the Red Sea are adding pressure to the global economic outlook.