Retired Rear Admiral Dimitros Cales assessed that the escalation of the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Houthis is leading to the spread of conflict in the Middle East, which could threaten energy supplies in Europe and Asia, according to an interview with RTS.
Cales, former commander of the Northern Naval Command of Greece and former NATO military official in Brussels, said he does not necessarily expect a unified regional war, but rather “increasing interconnectedness of several crisis hotspots” whose developments on one front can quickly affect the security of other areas.
A particular risk, in his assessment, is posed by the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and the Red Sea: “This is not just a regional military issue. It is an international economic and security problem. This area represents one of the most important routes for global trade and energy transport.” Cales warns that disruptions in maritime traffic could lead to increased insurance and transport costs, delays in supply chains, and additional pressure on energy markets.
He also highlights the uncertain role of the United States following statements by President Donald Trump that the country is considering the possibility of direct involvement, which further underscores the risk of interconnected conflicts. Cales believes that a resolution is more likely to be achieved through diplomatic rather than military solutions and that it is crucial to prevent separate crises from merging into a conflict that will be difficult to control.
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