Subtitles section
Repeat sentence
Subtitles mode
Full screen
Previous
Next
x 1.0
Playback speed
More

How the U.S.-led strikes on Houthis in Yemen could alter the conflict in the Middle East

Video vocabulary

capable

Copy vocabulary

US / 'keɪpəbl /

UK / ˈkepəbəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being able to do something very well; proficient

extremely

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪkˈstri:mli /

UK / ɪk'strimlɪ /

B1
  • adverb
  • In a way that is much more than usual or expected

hamas

Copy vocabulary

US / /

UK / /

A1
  • other
  • A militant Islamic fundamentalist political movement that opposes peace with Israel and uses terrori

strong

Copy vocabulary

US / strɒŋ /

UK / strɔŋ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of tea or beer) dark or thick
  • Having big muscles; physically powerful

tension

Copy vocabulary

US / 'tenʃn /

UK / ˈtɛnʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Feeling of anxiety and inability to relax
  • Degree to which something is stretched tight

casualty

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈkæʒuəlti /

UK / ˈkæʒuəlti /

B1
  • noun
  • Emergency area in a hospital for treating injuries
  • Someone injured or dead as a result of an accident

control

Copy vocabulary

US / kən'trəʊl /

UK / kənˈtrol /

A1
  • noun
  • A device designed to operate a machine
  • Participant in experiment that is left untouched
  • Act to dominate or command; make manageable
  • A law limiting the growth or spread of something
  • A place which overseas or manages e.g. a factory
  • verb
  • To direct or influence the behavior of something

destroy

Copy vocabulary

US / dɪ'strɔɪ /

UK / dɪˈstrɔɪ /

A2
  • verb
  • To damage so badly that something no longer exists
  • To defeat someone or something easily
  • To kill a sick or unwanted animal

well

Copy vocabulary

US / wel /

UK / wɛl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being in a fortunate, good condition or state
  • Healthy and in good condition
  • adverb
  • In an acceptable, proper, or successful manner
  • In a complete, total, or full manner
  • A great and considerable degree
  • In a successful way, in a good or satisfactory way
  • exclamation
  • Used to begin or continue a particular statement
  • Used to show you want to start saying something
  • Used to express that you are waiting for a reply
  • You say this to change the topic of a conversation
  • Used to indicate you are making a final remark
  • noun
  • Long deep hole in the ground to get water
  • verb
  • To cause your eyes to fill with tears

escalation

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌeskə'leɪʃn /

UK / ˌeskə'leɪʃn /

B2
  • noun
  • An increase in severity

for

Copy vocabulary

US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

A1
  • preposition
  • Used to show the purpose, or need of something

puppet

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈpʌpɪt /

UK / ˈpʌpɪt /

B2
  • noun
  • Person or group that is controlled by another
  • Doll that is moved by strings or your hands

through

Copy vocabulary

US / θru: /

UK / θru /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • having finished using or doing something
  • adverb
  • From the beginning of something until the end
  • preposition
  • Over, in, across an entire thing or place
  • Allowing you to pass between, or to
  • By a particular way or process; by the use of

why

Copy vocabulary

US / waɪ /

UK / hwaɪ, waɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Question word to ask for a reason
  • exclamation
  • (Used to express surprise or approval)

question

Copy vocabulary

US / 'kwestʃən /

UK / ˈkwɛstʃən /

A1
  • noun
  • Issue or problems you are dealing with
  • What you ask about; issue
  • verb
  • To ask for or try to get information
  • To have or express concerns or uncertainty

rebuild

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌri:'bɪld /

UK / riˈbɪld /

A2
  • verb
  • To get back something that was lost, e.g. trust
  • To repair something that was damaged or destroyed

benefit

Copy vocabulary

US / 'benɪfɪt /

UK / ˈbɛnəfɪt /

A2
  • noun
  • Good result or effect, something advantageous
  • verb
  • To have a good effect or be helpful

basis

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈbeɪsɪs /

UK / ˈbesɪs /

A2
  • noun
  • Main ingredient or part of something
  • Starting situation, fact, idea to develop from

middle

Copy vocabulary

US / 'mɪdl /

UK / ˈmidl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Equal distance from extremes
  • noun
  • Place that is halfway between two things

send

Copy vocabulary

US / send /

UK / sɛnd /

A1
  • verb
  • To cause to behave or respond in a particular way
  • To cause mail or packages to go to another place
  • To move something quickly in a particular way
  • To give information or greetings to someone

eight

Copy vocabulary

US / eɪt /

UK / et /

A1
  • number
  • 8

emiratis

Copy vocabulary

US / /

UK / /

A1
  • other
  • People from United Arab Emirates

escalate

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈeskəleɪt /

UK / ˈɛskəˌlet /

B2
  • verb
  • To increase in size, intensity, or scope
  • To become much worse or more severe

intend

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪnˈtend /

UK / ɪnˈtɛnd /

A2
  • verb
  • To plan or want to do something

mass

Copy vocabulary

US / mæs /

UK / mæs /

B1
  • noun
  • Religious ceremony in some Christian churches
  • Large amount or number of something
  • Main or largest part of something
  • Large number of people considered as a whole
  • Amount of matter that an object has
  • verb
  • To gather people or things into a large group

also

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

UK / ˈɔlso /

A1
  • adverb
  • In addition; too; in a similar way

how

Copy vocabulary

US / haʊ /

UK / haʊ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • To what degree? in what amount?
  • adverb
  • (Used to explain the way to do something)
  • exclamation
  • For what purpose or reason?
  • (Used to ask someone or something's condition)

kind

Copy vocabulary

US / kaɪnd /

UK / kaɪnd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In a caring and helpful manner
  • friendly and considerate
  • noun
  • One type of thing

live

Copy vocabulary

US / lɪv /

UK / liv /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being broadcast as events happen, not recorded
  • Carrying electric current; able to give a shock
  • Glowing because burning; hot
  • Not yet killed (for food)
  • adverb
  • (Music, drama) as it is performed
  • verb
  • To be alive
  • To experience a particular type of life
  • To make your home in a house or town

temporarily

Copy vocabulary

US / tempəˈrerɪlɪ /

UK / tempəˈrerɪlɪ /

A2
  • adverb
  • For a limited amount of time

year

Copy vocabulary

US / jə: /

UK / jɪr /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of time equal to 12 months or 365 or 366 days
  • Used to refer to the age of a person

you

Copy vocabulary

US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Person someone is speaking or writing to
  • Person or people in general

forward

Copy vocabulary

US / 'fɔ:wəd /

UK / ˈfɔrwəd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Toward what is ahead; in front
  • Acting in a socially aggressive manner; pushy
  • adverb
  • Toward the front in place; in front
  • Toward a future time; to a more advanced state
  • verb
  • To send something to another address or person

into

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɪntə /

UK / ˈɪntu /

A1
  • preposition
  • Moving or going inside something
  • In the same direction as; in the direction of
  • So as to become; taking the state of

other

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ʌðə(r) /

UK / ˈʌðər /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • A thing different from that mentioned
  • determiner
  • (Something) else; not the first (one)
  • pronoun
  • Being the one and only thing of that category

scholar

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈskɒlə(r) /

UK / ˈskɑ:lə(r) /

B1
  • noun
  • Educated person who attends or attended school
  • An academic in a certain field
  • Person who has been given a scholarship

than

Copy vocabulary

US / ðən /

UK / ðən /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to compare two things that are not equal

deterrence

Copy vocabulary

US / dɪ'terəns /

UK / dɪˈtɚrəns, -ˈtʌr- /

B2
  • noun
  • Negative motivational influence

make

Copy vocabulary

US / meɪk /

UK / mek /

A1
  • noun
  • Product made by a particular company; brand
  • verb
  • To arrange or prepare something e.g. dinner
  • To get to (a place) on time
  • To gain the status of (teacher, lawyer, etc.)
  • To create something by putting things together
  • To earn a certain amount of money at a job
  • To cause or force a person to do something
  • To cause something to happen or be formed

order

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɔ:də(r) /

UK / ˈɔrdɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Religious or social group, as of nuns
  • Instructions to others to do what you want
  • State in which things are neat and organized
  • What you ask to buy, e.g. food in restaurant
  • Social or political control of an area
  • verb
  • To put things in a sequence, e.g. a, b, c
  • To give instructions to others to do what you want
  • To ask for something you want to buy, e.g. a meal

across

Copy vocabulary

US / əˈkrɔs /

UK / əˈkrɔs,əˈkrɑs /

A1
  • adverb
  • Distance from one side to another
  • (Go) from one side to the other of something

this

Copy vocabulary

US / ðɪs /

UK / ðɪs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to indicate something already been discussed
  • Used to indicate something happening around now
  • adverb
  • An indication by a physical motion or gesture
  • A specific amount of
  • determiner
  • Person, thing, or idea near you
  • pronoun
  • Person, thing that has already been discussed

word

Copy vocabulary

US / wɜ:d /

UK / wɚd /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of language that has a meaning
  • Promise
  • Short remark or piece of information
  • verb
  • To express something by choosing particular words

follow

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈfɔləu /

UK / ˈfɑlo /

A1
  • verb
  • To come after someone; be guided by someone
  • To support someone, e.g. singer or comedian
  • To be the logical result of something
  • To happen after something else happens
  • To believe a set of values or a moral teacher
  • To understand something happening or being said

goal

Copy vocabulary

US / ɡəʊl /

UK / ɡol /

A2
  • noun
  • Something you try to do or achieve; an aim
  • (Sports) net into which you put a ball to score
  • (Sports) act of scoring by putting a ball in a net

solution

Copy vocabulary

US / səˈlu:ʃn /

UK / səˈluʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Mix of a liquid and a solid or a gas
  • Way to solve or deal with a problem

effective

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪˈfektɪv /

UK / ɪˈfɛktɪv /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Working efficiently to produce a desired result

instruction

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪn'strʌkʃn /

UK / ɪnˈstrʌkʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • A command for someone formally to do something
  • Act of teaching or explaining to others
  • Information about how to do or use something

stand

Copy vocabulary

US / stænd /

UK / stænd /

A1
  • noun
  • Effort to fight against something
  • Piece of furniture; device to hold or support
  • Place in a stadium where spectators watch
  • Table where things are sold at a fair or market
  • verb
  • To be a candidate in an election
  • To be able to accept someone, something; bear
  • To last for a long time
  • To be upright; not be sitting or lying down
  • To place something in a particular position; place
  • To be (as stated)
  • To still be valid
  • To have an opinion about something

expansionist

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪkˈspænʃənɪst /

UK / ɪkˈspænʃənɪst /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning or involving or guided by expansionism

intense

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪn'tens /

UK / ɪnˈtɛns /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very strong, great or extreme in degree

term

Copy vocabulary

US / tɜ:m /

UK / tɚm /

A1
  • noun
  • Conditions applying to an agreement, contract
  • Length of time something is expected to happen
  • Fixed period of weeks for learning at school
  • The (precise) name given to something
  • verb
  • To call; give a name to

welcome

Copy vocabulary

US / 'welkəm /

UK / ˈwɛlkəm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being what was wanted or needed
  • noun
  • Friendly greeting to someone who has arrived
  • verb
  • To greet someone who has just arrived
  • To accept or receive something happily and gladly

might

Copy vocabulary

US / maɪt /

UK / maɪt /

A1
  • other
  • Used to politely request an action
  • Used to express that something could happen
  • Power, strength, force or influence

lead

Copy vocabulary

US / li:d /

UK / lid /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being the main part in movies or plays
  • noun
  • Wire for electricity, computer, etc.; cable
  • Information that could help to solve a crime
  • Main part in a play or movie
  • Heavy, gray metal element
  • Rope used to tie something to stop it escaping
  • Act of being at the front in a race or game
  • verb
  • To show the way or guide others
  • To be at the front of a race or game
  • To travel in front of; go in advance of others

the

Copy vocabulary

US / ðə /

UK / ðə /

A1
  • article
  • Used to refer to something already mentioned
  • Used to show there is only one of something
  • determiner
  • Used to describe all of a family

cause

Copy vocabulary

US / kɔ:z /

UK / kɔz /

A2
  • noun
  • Belief, goal or organization that people support
  • Reason for
  • verb
  • To make something happen; create effect or result

own

Copy vocabulary

US / əʊn /

UK / on /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Belong to oneself
  • determiner
  • Yours, his, hers, etc.; not belonging to another
  • pronoun
  • (Something) belong to myself
  • verb
  • To have something as your property

house

Copy vocabulary

US / haʊs /

UK / haʊs /

A1
  • noun
  • Place where a specific activity or business occurs
  • Building in which a family, person lives
  • verb
  • To give someone a place to live
  • To contain or store something

right

Copy vocabulary

US / raɪt /

UK / raɪt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Correct or true
  • The south side of you looking at the rising sun
  • adverb
  • Exactly in a place or time
  • Being appropriate for a particular event
  • In a straight or direct manner
  • noun
  • Something you are legally or morally allowed to do
  • Ideal of what is just and good
  • Political view based on conservatism
  • verb
  • To fix something previously wrong or unjust
  • To make upright, as a boat that has turned over

strengthen

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈstreŋθn /

UK / ˈstrɛŋkθən,ˈstrɛŋ-,ˈstrɛn- /

A2
  • verb
  • To make something stronger

argue

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈɑ:gju: /

UK / ˈɑ:rgju: /

A1
  • verb
  • To fight or disagree over something
  • To state your reasons for or against an idea

emerge

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪ'mɜ:dʒ /

UK / ɪˈmɚdʒ /

A2
  • verb
  • To rise or appear out of some background

happen

Copy vocabulary

US / 'hæpən /

UK / ˈhæpən /

A1
  • verb
  • To take place or occur

ground

Copy vocabulary

US / graʊnd /

UK / ɡraʊnd /

A1
  • noun
  • Connection of electrical equipment to earth
  • Place where people play particular sports
  • Solid surface of the earth that we stand on
  • verb
  • To break (coffee, etc.) into tiny bits with machine
  • To make loud jarring noise by pressing hard
  • To make sharp or smooth through friction
  • To press together with force making a sound
  • To punish someone by not allowing them to go out
  • To hit the bottom
  • (Of boat) to hit the bottom so it cannot move
  • To prevent a plane from taking off
  • To place the ball over the goal line in rugby

force

Copy vocabulary

US / fɔ:s /

UK / fɔrs, fors /

A1
  • noun
  • Group of persons trained for military action; army
  • Pressure; attraction
  • The use of physical strength/violence to persuade
  • verb
  • To use physical strength or violence to persuade

family

Copy vocabulary

US / 'fæməlɪ /

UK / ˈfæmli /

A1
  • noun
  • Close group of people or organizations
  • A group of people who are related through blood
  • Group of related plants or animals

include

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪnˈklu:d /

UK / ɪnˈklud /

A1
  • verb
  • To make someone, something part of a group

sea

Copy vocabulary

US / /

UK / /

A1
  • noun
  • Very large group of people, similar-looking things
  • Large body of salty water with land around it

step

Copy vocabulary

US / step /

UK / stɛp /

A1
  • noun
  • Movement done as part of a particular dance
  • Distance covered by one movement of a leg; stride
  • One part or stage in a process
  • Sound made by the feet while walking; footstep
  • Flat horizontal piece that forms stairs
  • verb
  • To raise and moving the foot to put it down

about

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'baʊt /

UK / əˈbaʊt /

A1
  • adverb
  • To be ready to; going to
  • Nearly; approximately; roughly
  • Near; next to; close to
  • In every direction; in the area of
  • preposition
  • Concerning or of (a topic)

accomplish

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'kʌmplɪʃ /

UK / əˈkɑmplɪʃ /

B1
  • verb
  • To succeed in doing; complete successfully

even

Copy vocabulary

US / 'i:vn /

UK / ˈivən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in influence, power, possibility etc.
  • Being divided equally or fairly
  • (Of teams/contest) with similar chances of success
  • Smooth, level, or regular
  • Can be divided by 2; ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0
  • At a regular, equally steady manner
  • Remaining steady and unchanging
  • adverb
  • (When this is surprising) as well; too
  • (Used to compare two things/stress the difference)
  • verb
  • To make something level; to flatten
  • To make something equal

eventually

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪˈventʃuəli /

UK / ɪˈvɛntʃuəli /

A2
  • adverb
  • After a long time; after many attempts; in the end

independent

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌɪndɪˈpendənt /

UK / ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Making your own decisions; acting by yourself
  • noun
  • A person not connected to a political party

impact

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɪmpækt /

UK / ˈɪmˌpækt /

A2
  • noun
  • A striking effect or result to hit with force
  • Very strong influence
  • Act or force of one thing hitting something else
  • verb
  • To hit or strike someone or something with force

that

Copy vocabulary

US / ðæt /

UK / ðæt, ðət /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • The person or thing being talked about
  • Used to identify something both the speakers know
  • adverb
  • Used to reinforce adjectives and adverbs
  • To such a degree
  • conjunction
  • Used to connect a noun clause
  • Used to introduce an adverbial clause
  • Used to introduce a noun clause
  • determiner
  • Used as a noun to refer to something
  • pronoun
  • Referring an object far away
  • Used to refer to the relative pronoun ‘which’

threat

Copy vocabulary

US / θret /

UK / θrɛt /

A2
  • noun
  • Warning of probable trouble
  • A warning that you may be harmed

what

Copy vocabulary

US / wɒt /

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Thing or things that; the same kind as
  • Used to emphasize something you are about to say
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to a particular amount, or number
  • Used to place emphasis on a particular quality
  • adverb
  • To a certain degree
  • determiner
  • Question words used for asking for information
  • exclamation
  • Used to express excitement, shock, or surprise
  • Used to ask people to repeat something they said

weaken

Copy vocabulary

US / 'wi:kən /

UK / ˈwikən /

A2
  • verb
  • To make something or someone less powerful

mean

Copy vocabulary

US / mi:n /

UK / min /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being good at
  • Nasty; unkind
  • Not liking to spend money; cheap; stingy
  • noun
  • Average of a set of numbers
  • verb
  • To express a particular idea or thought
  • To intend to do something in particular
  • To have a particular meaning or value

require

Copy vocabulary

US / rɪ'kwaɪə(r) /

UK / rɪˈkwaɪr /

A2
  • verb
  • To demand that someone does something
  • To need to do something, to make it necessary

recruit

Copy vocabulary

US / rɪ'kru:t /

UK / rɪˈkrut /

B1
  • noun
  • Person who has just joined the military
  • Person who has just begun a new activity or job
  • verb
  • To convince and help people to join the military
  • To find new employees, volunteers or members
  • To find people to join an organization or business

back

Copy vocabulary

US / bæk /

UK / bæk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Farthest from the front e.g. in a classroom
  • adverb
  • Have returned to a place you were before
  • noun
  • The part of a chair that the upper body leans upon
  • Location at the rear of something
  • The reverse of side something
  • Area on the rear of your body
  • verb
  • To bet money on something
  • To go backwards in a car
  • To support and encourage someone or some cause

and

Copy vocabulary

US / ənd /

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to refer to two or more things
  • Plus; in addition; on top of that
  • Used to introduce an action that follows another

lot

Copy vocabulary

US / lɒt /

UK / lɑt /

A1
  • noun
  • What happens to a person in life from chance; fate
  • A group of people seen together
  • Item for sale at an auction
  • Small area of land used for a purpose e.g. parking

regional

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈri:dʒənl /

UK / ˈridʒənəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Of a particular area, not the whole of a country

large

Copy vocabulary

US / lɑ:dʒ /

UK / lɑ:rdʒ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Big; of great size; broad, tall, wide, or fat

most

Copy vocabulary

US / məʊst /

UK / most /

A1
  • adverb
  • Very; extremely
  • Greatest possible degree
  • pronoun
  • Nearly all of something

resident

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈrezɪdənt /

UK / ˈrɛzɪdənt, -ˌdɛnt /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Someone who lives in a particular place
  • noun
  • Trainee doctor who works/lives in a hospital

saudi

Copy vocabulary

US / 'saʊdɪ /

UK / 'saʊdɪ /

A1
  • other
  • A native or inhabitant of Saudi Arabia

affect

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'fekt /

UK / əˈfɛkt /

A2
  • verb
  • To cause a change in something else

only

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈəunli /

UK / ˈonli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Just one; just that amount or thing; not more than
  • Not very important or serious
  • Just that type of thing, person
  • Short time ago; not before a certain time
  • conjunction
  • Except; but

put

Copy vocabulary

US / pʊt /

UK / pʊt /

A1
  • phrasal verb
  • to make a light stop shining by pressing or moving a switch
  • verb
  • To move or place a thing in a particular position
  • To rate something in importance or value
  • To write or say something in a certain manner

another

Copy vocabulary

US / əˈnʌðə(r) /

UK / əˈnʌðɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • One more, but not this
  • determiner
  • One more added
  • pronoun
  • One more (thing)

critic

Copy vocabulary

US / 'krɪtɪk /

UK / ˈkrɪtɪk /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who judges (e.g. art) and gives opinions

region

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ri:dʒən /

UK / ˈridʒən /

A2
  • noun
  • Part of a country, of the world, area, etc.

unpopular

Copy vocabulary

US / ʌnˈpɒpjələ(r) /

UK / ʌnˈpɑpjəlɚ /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Disliked by many people

from

Copy vocabulary

US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

A1
  • preposition
  • Starting at a particular place, time or level

out

Copy vocabulary

US / aʊt /

UK / aʊt /

A1
  • adverb
  • No longer stylish (e.g. fashion)
  • Away from home, business, or the usual place
  • In a direction/movement away from inside or center
  • noun
  • Act when a batter cannot continue playing
  • verb
  • To tell people a secret

conflict

Copy vocabulary

US / 'kɒnflɪkt /

UK / ˈkɑnˌflɪkt /

A2
  • noun
  • Argument or struggle between two or more parties
  • verb
  • To have opposite ideas; to disagree; To not match

east

Copy vocabulary

US / i:st /

UK / i:st /

A1
  • noun
  • Direction where the sun rises
  • Geographic area including India, China, Japan etc.

empower

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪm'paʊə(r) /

UK / ɛmˈpaʊɚ /

B2
  • verb
  • To give someone a power or ability

ignite

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪɡ'naɪt /

UK / ɪɡˈnaɪt /

B2
  • verb
  • To catch fire
  • To cause something to start burning
  • To give energy to something or someone

airstrikes

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈæpl /

UK / ˈæpəl /

A1
  • other
  • Attacks on somewhere by fighting planes

decide

Copy vocabulary

US / dɪ'saɪd /

UK / dɪˈsaɪd /

A2
  • verb
  • To make a choice or choose after thinking about it
  • To make a legal judgment in court
  • to affect the result of something

militarily

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈmɪlətrəli /

UK / ˌmɪləˈterəli /

B1
  • adverb
  • As regards the military

think

Copy vocabulary

US / θɪŋk /

UK / θɪŋk /

A1
  • verb
  • To have an idea about something without certainty
  • To have an idea, opinion or belief about something

strike

Copy vocabulary

US / straɪk /

UK / straɪk /

A2
  • noun
  • A punch or hit
  • Fact of not hitting the ball when playing baseball
  • Refusal to work to get more pay, protest something
  • verb
  • To hit something
  • To suddenly become (e.g. rich)
  • To have an idea occur to you

sure

Copy vocabulary

US / ʃʊə(r) /

UK / ʃʊr /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having no doubts about something
  • Have confidence in your own words or actions
  • Firmly established or held; being firm or stable
  • Being correct or true
  • adverb
  • What you say to agree willingly

population

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌpɒpjuˈleɪʃn /

UK / ˌpɑpjəˈleʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Number of people who live in a country, area etc.

contain

Copy vocabulary

US / kənˈteɪn /

UK / kənˈten /

A2
  • verb
  • To keep something from spreading
  • To hold something inside something else

mecca

Copy vocabulary

US / 'mekə /

UK / ˈmɛkə /

A1
  • other
  • A place that attracts many visitors

wait

Copy vocabulary

US / weɪt /

UK / wet /

A1
  • verb
  • To delay or not do something until later
  • To spend time until an expected thing happens
  • To remain in a place until a thing happens

strategy

Copy vocabulary

US / 'strætədʒɪ /

UK / ˈstrætədʒi /

A2
  • noun
  • Careful plan or method for achieving a goal
  • other
  • Branch of military dealing with command

supply

Copy vocabulary

US / sə'plaɪ /

UK / səˈplaɪ /

A2
  • noun
  • Availability of products and services for use
  • Specific things needed to perform a certain task
  • verb
  • To give or sell goods to others for their use

continue

Copy vocabulary

US / kən'tɪnju: /

UK / kənˈtɪnju /

A1
  • verb
  • To do something without stopping, or after pausing
  • To start doing again after a break, pause, or stop

white

Copy vocabulary

US / waɪt /

UK / hwaɪt, waɪt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Belonging to a race of people with light skin
  • Of the color of fresh snow and milk
  • noun
  • Person's name
  • Lightest color; The color of fresh snow.

already

Copy vocabulary

US / ɔ:lˈredi /

UK / ɔlˈrɛdi /

A1
  • adverb
  • Having happened or been done before this time

expense

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪk'spens /

UK / ɪkˈspɛns /

B1
  • noun
  • Money you have to pay to do part of your job
  • Paying money for something (big)
  • When resources e.g. time is used to do something

episode

Copy vocabulary

US / 'epɪsəʊd /

UK / ˈɛpɪˌsod /

B1
  • noun
  • One separate event in a series of events
  • Show which is part of a larger story

proxy

Copy vocabulary

US / 'prɒksɪ /

UK / ˈprɑksi /

B2
  • noun
  • Person authorized to act for another

silence

Copy vocabulary

US / 'saɪləns /

UK / ˈsaɪləns /

A2
  • noun
  • State of being quiet and not talking for a time
  • When there is not sound or noise; complete quiet
  • Refusal to discuss or talk about an issue
  • verb
  • To stop the noise that something is making
  • To prevent someone from expressing thoughts

will

Copy vocabulary

US / wɪl /

UK / wɪl /

A1
  • noun
  • Desire or choice of someone
  • Document saying who gets your money when you die
  • Strong desire to do something; determination
  • Desire to do something; strong wish to do
  • other
  • Used with verbs to express the future
  • verb
  • To leave property to someone after your death
  • To use mental effort to make something happen
  • Am (is, are) likely to do
  • To influence someone to do something
  • To make something happen by strongly wanting it

attack

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'tæk /

UK / əˈtæk /

A2
  • noun
  • Act intended to hurt someone physically, mentally
  • verb
  • To try to destroy, beat, or injure

strategic

Copy vocabulary

US / strəˈti:dʒɪk /

UK / strəˈtidʒɪk /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerned with strategy; well thought out

use

Copy vocabulary

US / ju:s /

UK / ju:s /

A1
  • noun
  • Ability to employ something
  • Need to enable it to work
  • Permission to do something with something
  • Act of spending money
  • Operation of a machine for its function
  • verb
  • To have; to eat, drink, consume etc.
  • To need to operate or work
  • To operate a machine, e.g. a computer
  • To treat a person badly
  • To do something with, for a task or purpose

concern

Copy vocabulary

US / kənˈsɜ:n /

UK / kənˈsɚn /

A2
  • noun
  • Company, firm or business
  • Feeling of worry or anxiety
  • verb
  • To be about a particular topic
  • To have a direct impact on someone
  • To be responsible or mixed up in; to be involved
  • To feel worry or anxiety

importantly

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪmˈpɔːtntli /

UK / ɪmˈpɔːrtntli /

A2
  • adverb
  • In an important way;

government

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈgʌvənmənt /

UK / ˈɡʌvənmənt /

A1
  • noun
  • Group of people and system that rule a nation

horror

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈhɒrə(r) /

UK / ˈhɔrɚ, ˈhɑr- /

B1
  • noun
  • Feeling of great shock or fear; thing causing it

mitigate

Copy vocabulary

US / 'mɪtɪɡeɪt /

UK / ˈmɪtˌɪɡet /

B2
  • verb
  • To make less severe or serious

with

Copy vocabulary

US / wɪð /

UK / wɪð, wɪθ /

A1
  • preposition
  • As an employee of a certain company
  • Against something or someone
  • By using something as a means
  • Due to; because of
  • Including
  • Possessing as a feature
  • Related to
  • (Of the manner/attitude by which you do something)
  • Used to express that people or things are together

could

Copy vocabulary

US / kəd /

UK / kʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Past form of 'can' to mean have ability
  • Used to ask for something politely, or to offer

gaza

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɪzreɪl /

UK / 'ɪzreɪl /

A1

know

Copy vocabulary

US / nəʊ /

UK / noʊ /

A1
  • verb
  • To be familiar with a person or place, thing
  • To feel sure or be convinced about something
  • To discover or be aware of something
  • To be able to distinguish
  • To have knowledge of things

exist

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪɡ'zɪst /

UK / ɪɡˈzɪst /

A1
  • verb
  • To be present, alive or real

mark

Copy vocabulary

US / mɑ:k /

UK / mɑrk /

A2
  • noun
  • Person's name
  • A dirty spot or line on something
  • Grade or score given for homework
  • Line or symbol made when writing
  • Particular point on a scale of measurement
  • Grade, such as a student receives in school
  • Stain or spot on something
  • Sign or symbol of a quality of feeling
  • Written sign or symbol
  • verb
  • To put a dirty spot or line on something
  • To give a grade for homework
  • To indicate something with a sign or symbol
  • To make or leave a visible sign of (path, etc.)
  • (Animals) to go to the toilet to show your area
  • To write or draw a line on something

shipping

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈʃɪpɪŋ /

UK / ˈʃɪpɪŋ /

B1
  • noun
  • Business of transporting goods or orders to places
  • verb
  • To transport goods by boat, truck or plane

agenda

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'dʒendə /

UK / əˈdʒɛndə /

B1
  • noun
  • Plan or policy to achieve your goal or intentions
  • Outcome you want to happen but do not reveal
  • List of matters to be discussed at a meeting

before

Copy vocabulary

US / bɪˈfɔ:(r) /

UK / bɪˈfɔr,-ˈfor /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a time earlier than the present; previously
  • conjunction
  • In advance of something happening
  • preposition
  • In front of someone or something

last

Copy vocabulary

US / lɑ:st /

UK / læst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Most recent; the latest
  • The one before
  • adverb
  • Final; with nothing following; after all others
  • Most recent; the latest
  • determiner
  • The one at the end
  • verb
  • To remain or continue for a certain period of time

have

Copy vocabulary

US / həv /

UK / hæv /

A1
  • verb
  • To drink, smoke, eat or use something
  • To experience the effects of something
  • To organize an event, or join in an activity
  • To own, possess, or hold something
  • To cause to happen or produce a particular effect

bear

Copy vocabulary

US / bɛː /

UK / bɛr /

A2
  • noun
  • Large brown animal with fur that lives in forests
  • Someone who expects stock market to fall
  • verb
  • To accept (responsibilities or duties)
  • To give birth to a child; to produce fruit
  • To accept or suffer the weight of difficulties
  • To keep moving left or right while going forward
  • To show (sign of something)
  • To support the weight of something, e.g. a bridge

problem

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈprɒbləm /

UK / ˈprɑbləm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Causing trouble
  • noun
  • Something difficult to deal with or causes trouble
  • Question to show understanding of a math concept

raise

Copy vocabulary

US / reɪz /

UK / rez /

A1
  • noun
  • Increase in a bet above another when playing cards
  • Pay increase
  • verb
  • To increase a bet above another when playing cards
  • To gather donations for a cause or charity
  • To bring up and educate a child to maturity
  • To bring a dead person to life
  • To increase a quantity, size, intensity or price
  • To lift (e.g. your hand) to a higher position
  • To mention a topic /issue for discussion; bring up
  • To increase (salary, etc.)
  • To grow or care for plants or animals

arabia

Copy vocabulary

US / əˈreibjə /

UK / əˈrebiə /

A1
  • noun
  • An area in the Middle East

community

Copy vocabulary

US / kə'mju:nətɪ /

UK / kəˈmjunɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • Group of people who share a common idea or area

see

Copy vocabulary

US / si: /

UK / si /

A1
  • verb
  • To go on a date with someone
  • To predict whether something is, or will be true
  • To understand what someone says
  • To use your eyes to look at something
  • To visit a place often for sightseeing or pleasure
  • To visit or meet with someone
  • To find out by waiting or looking
  • To watch (a game, movie or TV show)

world

Copy vocabulary

US / wɜ:ld /

UK / wɜrld /

A1
  • noun
  • All the humans, events, activities on the earth
  • Political division due to some kind of similarity

against

Copy vocabulary

US / əˈgenst /

UK / əˈɡenst /

A1
  • preposition
  • In physical contact with, as for support; next to
  • In opposition to; disagreeing with

iran

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪˈrɑːn /

UK / ɪ'ræn /

A1
  • noun
  • A theocratic Islamic republic in the Middle East in western Asia; Iran was the core of the ancient e

now

Copy vocabulary

US / naʊ /

UK / naʊ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At the present time or moment
  • Right away or in the next possible moment
  • Used to refer to something that just happened
  • Time between the present and a moment in the past
  • conjunction
  • Resulting from or because of something

camp

Copy vocabulary

US / kæmp /

UK / kæmp /

A2
  • noun
  • A (military) base
  • Exaggerated behavior meant to be funny
  • Place where people live for a short time in tents
  • verb
  • To live temporarily, e.g. in a tent or a vehicle

can

Copy vocabulary

US / kæn /

UK / kən,kæn /

A1
  • noun
  • A metal container for storing food
  • other
  • Able to; have the skill to; have the time to
  • verb
  • To have permission to
  • To be possible to do
  • To preserve food by sealing it in a metal container

houthi

Copy vocabulary

US / /

UK / /

A1

liberate

Copy vocabulary

US / 'lɪbəreɪt /

UK / ˈlɪbəˌret /

B2
  • verb
  • To free someone or something that was captured

ship

Copy vocabulary

US / ʃɪp /

UK / ʃɪp /

A1
  • noun
  • Large boat
  • verb
  • To transport goods by boat, truck or plane

war

Copy vocabulary

US / wɔ:(r) /

UK / wɔr /

A2
  • noun
  • Situation where armies fight each other

but

Copy vocabulary

US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used before you say something different, opposite

good

Copy vocabulary

US / ɡʊd /

UK / ɡʊd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Proper, appropriate or right
  • (Of an amount) enough; plenty
  • Excellent; high quality
  • Acting well or properly; of moral character
  • In a positive or happy emotional state
  • noun
  • Advantage or benefit

security

Copy vocabulary

US / sɪ'kjʊərətɪ /

UK / sɪˈkjʊrɪtisə'kjurətɪ /

A2
  • noun
  • Department in a company in charge of protection
  • Financial document, like stocks, bonds and notes
  • Person paid to protect property and people
  • Things done to protect people, buildings etc.
  • Condition of being safe from danger or harm

spiral

Copy vocabulary

US / 'spaɪrəl /

UK / ˈspaɪrəl /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Curved in a continuous circle
  • noun
  • A continuous curve round a central point
  • verb
  • To move in a continuous curve round a point

not

Copy vocabulary

US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Word indicating the negative
  • (Used to form the negative of verbs)

survive

Copy vocabulary

US / sə'vaɪv /

UK / sɚˈvaɪv /

A2
  • verb
  • To continue to live despite illness or trouble

address

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'dres /

UK / əˈdrɛs /

A1
  • noun
  • Exact street location of a place
  • A formal speech to a group of people
  • verb
  • To write the place someone lives on a letter
  • To refer to someone or something formally
  • To make a formal speech to a group of people
  • To try to find a solution to; think about

ally

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ælaɪ /

UK / 'ælaɪ /

B1
  • noun
  • Someone who supports, helps, or defends you
  • verb
  • To join a group to offer or receive support

civilian

Copy vocabulary

US / sə'vɪlɪən /

UK / sɪˈvɪljən /

B2
  • noun
  • Ordinary person who is not in the army

carry

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈkæri /

UK / ˈkæri /

A1
  • verb
  • To have a child, be pregnant
  • To have a disease you might give to others
  • (Of stores) to sell a particular product
  • To hold something and move it to another place
  • To travel a long distance (sound)
  • To support the weight or burden of something

child

Copy vocabulary

US / tʃaɪld /

UK / tʃaɪld /

A1
  • noun
  • A very young person, between about 2 and 15

fighter

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈfaɪtə(r) /

UK / ˈfaɪtɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Something or someone that fights

significant

Copy vocabulary

US / sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt /

UK / sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
  • Having meaning; important; noticeable
  • (Statistics) being clearly different

want

Copy vocabulary

US / wɔnt /

UK / wɑnt, wɔnt /

A1
  • noun
  • Something you desire or wish for
  • State or condition of poverty
  • verb
  • To desire or wish for something; hope for a thing

indoctrination

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪnˌdɒktrɪ'neɪʃn /

UK / ɪnˌdɑktrɪˈneʃən /

C2
  • noun
  • Teaching someone to accept doctrines uncritically

would

Copy vocabulary

US / wʊd /

UK / wʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Used to indicate something imagined
  • Used to ask or request something politely
  • Verb used to indicate possibility, request etc.
  • Used to indicate a preference
  • Used to indicate a reaction
  • Indicates something that occurred repeatedly
  • Used to indicate willingness or ability to do

scale

Copy vocabulary

US / skeɪl /

UK / skel /

A2
  • noun
  • Size, level, or amount when compared
  • Small hard plates that cover the body of fish
  • Device that is used to weigh a person or thing
  • Range of numbers from the lowest to the highest
  • Dimensions or size of something
  • verb
  • To change the size of but keep the proportions
  • To climb something large (e.g. a mountain)
  • To remove the scales of a fish

support

Copy vocabulary

US / səˈpɔ:t /

UK / səˈpɔrt, -ˈport /

A1
  • noun
  • Assistance or advice given to someone
  • Evidence that helps prove something is true
  • A thing to hold up or prevent from falling down
  • verb
  • To give assistance or advice to someone
  • To help prove or show that something is true
  • To hold up or prevent from falling down

whether

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈweðə(r) /

UK / ˈhwɛðɚ, ˈwɛð- /

A1
  • conjunction
  • If something will happen or not

wide

Copy vocabulary

US / waɪd /

UK / waɪd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having a great distance from one side to the other
  • adverb
  • Fully; completely

destruction

Copy vocabulary

US / dɪ'strʌkʃn /

UK / dɪˈstrʌkʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • Act of destroying; damaging beyond repair

israel

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɪzreɪl /

UK / 'ɪzreɪl /

A1
  • noun
  • Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean; formerly part of Palestine

move

Copy vocabulary

US / mu:v /

UK / muv /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of moving a playing piece in chess, etc.
  • An action; doing something
  • Step taken to achieve a goal
  • verb
  • To cause someone to have certain emotions
  • To cause something to change to a different place
  • To change where people live or a business operates
  • To take action to do or achieve something

their

Copy vocabulary

US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

way

Copy vocabulary

US / weɪ /

UK / we /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to emphasize the amount of something
  • noun
  • Particular aspect of something being thought about
  • One of various choices that could be made
  • Particular existing condition or state
  • (Often long) distance or length of time
  • How something is done
  • Route to go to a place
  • Small street
  • Usual behavior, emotions or habits of someone

approach

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'prəʊtʃ /

UK / əˈprəʊtʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Means of reaching a place, often a road or path
  • Request of someone with a specific goal in mind
  • Specific way to handle a project, task, problem
  • verb
  • To get close to reaching something or somewhere
  • To request someone to do something specific

both

Copy vocabulary

US / bəuθ /

UK / boθ /

A1
  • determiner
  • Used to refer to two things at the same time
  • pronoun
  • Used to refer to two things at the same time

sustainable

Copy vocabulary

US / səˈsteɪnəbl /

UK / səˈsteɪnəbl /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Capable of continuing for a long time
  • Able to be maintained without running out of

take

Copy vocabulary

US / teɪk /

UK / tek /

A1
  • noun
  • Filming of a single scene for TV or the movies
  • verb
  • To accept something that is offered
  • To use a method of traveling, e.g. a bus or train
  • To use a camera to make (a photo)
  • To pick up something and go away with it
  • To study a subject in school
  • To attempt to pass (an exam)
  • To require a certain amount of time, money, space

build

Copy vocabulary

US / bɪld /

UK / bɪld /

A1
  • noun
  • Your physical shape; physique
  • verb
  • To establish e.g. a reputation, over time
  • To construct a house, office, factory

prove

Copy vocabulary

US / pru:v /

UK / pruv /

A2
  • verb
  • To demonstrate truth by providing evidence

washington

Copy vocabulary

US / 'wɒʃɪŋtən /

UK / 'wɑ:ʃɪŋtənˌ 'wɔ:ʃɪŋ- /

A1
  • other
  • A state in northwestern United States on the Pacific

work

Copy vocabulary

US / wɜ:k /

UK / wɚk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Activity completed in order to make money
  • noun
  • The product of some artistic or literary endeavor
  • Everything created by an author, artist, musician
  • Activity you do in order to make money
  • Place of employment
  • Final product or result of a some labor or effort
  • verb
  • To bring into a specific state of success
  • To be functioning properly, e.g. a car
  • To do your job in your company or workplace
  • To make an effort to do something
  • To operate a machine or device

risk

Copy vocabulary

US / rɪsk /

UK / rɪsk /

A1
  • noun
  • Actions that cause potential problems
  • verb
  • To do something potentially dangerous or foolish

they

Copy vocabulary

US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Two or more people, animals, or things

very

Copy vocabulary

US / 'verɪ /

UK / ˈvɛri /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning a large degree or amount
  • adverb
  • A lot; much; many
  • Used to stress or emphasize a noun

excuse

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪk'skju:s /

UK / ɪkˈskjuz /

A2
  • noun
  • Note explaining why someone cannot do or attend
  • Reason why you did or didn't do something
  • verb
  • To allow someone not to do (jury service, etc.)
  • To explain acting in a bad or impolite manner
  • To forgive someone for something bad or impolite

act

Copy vocabulary

US / ækt /

UK / ækt /

A1
  • noun
  • What someone did; action; behavior
  • A law or rule passed by a government we must obey
  • One of the parts that a stage play is divided into
  • verb
  • To behave in a certain way
  • To perform on a stage or in a movie

boot

Copy vocabulary

US / bu:t /

UK / but /

A2
  • noun
  • Footwear covering your foot and part of your leg
  • verb
  • To kick something, e.g. ball into goal
  • To start the operating system on a computer

institute

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɪnstɪtju:t /

UK / ˈɪnstɪˌtut, -ˌtjut /

A2
  • noun
  • Organization studying science, engineering etc.
  • verb
  • To start or commence doing, e.g. a business plan

red

Copy vocabulary

US / red /

UK / rɛd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being the color of blood

thank

Copy vocabulary

US / θæŋk /

UK / θæŋk /

A1
  • verb
  • To tell someone you are grateful to them

america

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'merɪkə /

UK / əˈmɛrɪkə /

A1
  • noun
  • The United States of America; North America and/or South America

everyone

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈevriwʌn /

UK / ˈɛvriˌwʌn /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Every person; everybody

its

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪts /

UK / ɪts /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Referring to or belonging to ‘it’
  • determiner
  • Of something; belonging or related to something
  • other
  • Possessive form of “it”

militant

Copy vocabulary

US / 'mɪlɪtənt /

UK / ˈmɪlɪtənt /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Using strong forceful methods to achieve a goal
  • noun
  • People advocating force to achieve a goal
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • The U.S.-led strikes on the Houthis in Yemen have triggered a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The world eagerly awaits to see whether these strikes will successfully halt the Houthis from targeting ships in the Red Sea, or if they will instead lead to an even greater conflict. Nadwa al Dassari, a Yemeni-born non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C., sheds light on the potential impact of these strikes on the militant group's strategy.Despite enduring eight years of relentless airstrikes by the Saudis and the Emiratis, the Houthis have not only survived but have also grown stronger. While the airstrikes may temporarily neutralize the Houthi threat to Red Sea shipping, this effect will likely be short-lived. Yemenis have experienced the horrific consequences of airstrikes, including significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction. However, these airstrikes have inadvertently served to bolster the Houthis' position. Consequently, the Yemeni population, on the whole, does not want to endure another round of strikes that predominantly benefit the Houthis at the expense of Yemenis.Although the Houthis remain highly unpopular, they are exploiting the Gaza War and their purported war with Israel and America to suppress the population and stifle dissent. They leverage this narrative to compel families to send their children to indoctrination camps and recruit fighters on a large scale, even employing child soldiers. Given this context, the airstrikes could inadvertently strengthen the Houthis' position in Yemen.
  • Subtitles section
  • The U.S.
  • strikes against the Houthis in Yemen mark a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
  • The world is now waiting to see whether the strikes will accomplish their goal to stop the Houthis from targeting ships in the Red Sea or raise the risk of an even wider conflict.
  • Nadwa al Dassari was born and raised in Yemen and is a non resident scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C.
  • Thank you for being with us.
  • And how will the U.S. led strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, how will that affect the militant group's strategy moving forward, in your view?
  • Well, I mean, the Houthis have survived eight years of intense airstrikes by the Saudis and the Emiratis, and they survived that and even emerged stronger than before.
  • So, airstrikes might neutralize the Houthi threat on the Red Sea shipping, but that would be temporarily.
  • What impact will these airstrikes have on the Houthis standing in Yemen?
  • Do they welcome these airstrikes?
  • Yemenis are concerned about these airstrikes because they lived the horrors of airstrikes for eight years.
  • And these airstrikes caused a lot of civilian casualties, a lot of destruction, but also they made the Houthis stronger.
  • So, Yemenis at large don't want to go through another episode of airstrikes that only benefit the Houthis at the expense of Yemenis.
  • Houthis are still extremely unpopular, but the Houthis are using the Gaza War and the war with Israel and America, which is their narrative that they're at war with Israel and America, they're using that to oppress the population and silence critics.
  • They're using that to force families to send their children to indoctrination camps, to
  • to recruit fighters, to recruit children at a mass scale.
  • And so, these airstrikes could be very good for the Houthis.
  • The Houthis want war.
  • They want confrontation for the U.S.
  • They want confrontation with Israel because... And that's why they continued to, you know, to attack the ships in the Red Sea.
  • That's how they build... You know, they make an excuse to oppress the population.
  • So, this will be good for the Houthis
  • if it's only airstrikes.
  • Well, in order for the US goal of deterrence to be effective on a more permanent basis, what kind of approach would be required?
  • Well, the Houthis have proven to be a strategic threat to regional security and international shipping.
  • And so only a strategic approach will mitigate the Houthi threat.
  • Now, airstrikes by the US and the UK
  • are not going to address that.
  • The U.S.
  • and the international community need to support Yemeni government forces to weaken the Houthis militarily and rebuild Yemen.
  • The Houthis, as you well know, are also backed by Iran, which has supplied militias across the Middle East as a way of stepping up its own influence.
  • How independent are the Houthis from Iran?
  • Are they acting on their own, or are they following Iran's instructions right now?
  • It is both.
  • So, the Houthis are not Iran puppets.
  • They don't carry Iran orders.
  • Having said that, the Houthis are very strong allies with Iran, and they both have a long term goal in the region, which is Iran's expansionist agenda.
  • And that includes weakening Saudi Arabia, taking Mecca, and eventually liberating Jerusalem, in their own words, and destroying Israel.
  • more importantly, also pushing the U.S.
  • and the West out of the region.
  • The Houthis also are capable of acting on their own.
  • Iran has empowered the Houthis and strengthened them.
  • And I'm not even sure if Iran decided that the Houthis need to de escalate today, that the Houthis would do that.
  • The White House says the strikes last night were not intended to ignite a wider regional war.
  • You can argue that with the U.S. led attacks against Houthi targets in Yemen, that the Israel Hamas war has already escalated into a regional conflict.
  • The question is whether or not it can be contained.
  • How do you view it?
  • Things could spiral out of control.
  • The risk is high.
  • Having said that, I think it's important for the U.S.
  • and the West to
  • address the Houthi problem.
  • And that's not going to happen with airstrikes.
  • And, also, it's not going to happen with putting boots on the ground.
  • A more sustainable solution would be to work with the Yemeni government and strengthen Yemeni forces, so that they can weaken the Houthis.
  • Now, Iran and other proxies might still exist, but the Houthis have proven to be the most strategic threat to everyone, basically, in the region.
  • Nadwa Aldosari is a non resident scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington.
  • Thank you.
  • Thank you for having me.