Attacks by Houthi militants on shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, once seemed like a dangerous sideshow to the war in Gaza. But as the attacks have continued, the sideshow has turned into a full-blown crisis.

Vivian Nereim, the Gulf bureau chief for The Times, explains what cause is served by the Houthis’ campaign.

Guest: Vivian Nereim (https://www.nytimes.com/by/vivian-nereim) , the Gulf bureau chief for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• Undeterred by strikes by American and British forces, the Houthis targeted more ships in the Red Sea (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/15/world/middleeast/houthis-ships-red-sea.html) .
• Washington is grappling with how to stop a battle-hardened foe (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/world/middleeast/us-strikes-houthis-yemen.html) from disrupting shipping lanes critical for global trade.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily (http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily) . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.