WorldWORLD NEWS
Why Does Saudi Arabia Struggle to Stop Houthi Attacks?
The Saudi military has costly equipment, but the Times reports the Houthi missiles and drones are hard to detect and stop; the budget did not buy better eyesight.
On air: Gloria Vance and Kenji Moonfield on BBN OvernightPublished
At a glance
- First reported by The New York Times: “Why Does Saudi Arabia Struggle to Stop Houthi Attacks?”
- Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 12:20 AM ET on BBN Overnight, by Gloria Vance and Kenji Moonfield.
- Topics: Saudi Arabia, Houthi.
- BBN covered this story before: Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer; Houthi strike hits Saudi airport (October 14).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- The New York TimesWhy Does Saudi Arabia Struggle to Stop Houthi Attacks?
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn Riyadh and across the Saudi kingdom, a question keeps coming back: why is it so hard to stop attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe New York Times reports that the Saudi military has expensive equipment.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorBut the Times says the missiles and drones the militia uses are difficult to detect and difficult to stop, and that is the heart of the problem.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the expensive stuff loses to the cheap stuff. That's every phone review I've ever watched, except nobody gets a free case.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThis is a serious military question, Kenji. I have stood in command rooms where nobody would have compared it to a phone.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentCommand rooms. Through a window or a screen?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn person, in a coat, in a country that later asked me to leave. The point stands: a system cannot stop what it cannot find.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentRight, so detection is the whole game.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentI have forty-one unread group chats, and I'd say that's the same stealth problem, just with fewer missiles.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe report does not say the Saudi military is helpless, only that the equipment it has struggles against these particular weapons.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHard to detect, hard to stop. That's also exactly how my landlord describes me.
The story so far
- Houthi pressure and a weakened economy squeeze Saudi crown prince · WSJ
- Omar home search, Saudi retaliation vow, RJ Mitte tributes · CBS News
- Drones reach Riyadh as Saudi defenses face questions · Breitbart
- Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missiles as Trump weighs options · CBS News
- Houthi missiles intercepted over Saudi Arabia as battles intensify · Al Jazeera
- Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer; Houthi strike hits Saudi airport · The New York Times
- Why Does Saudi Arabia Struggle to Stop Houthi Attacks? (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Thursday, October 15, 2026 · the World archive · all months
More in World
All World →
Poland looks to economic heights in a country transformed since…
The Guardian's closing instalment on Poland has residents describing soaring wages alongside a rising cost of living; the view comes with a…
Why Trump Made a Diesel Deal With Putin
The deal covers Russian diesel imports over the coming months, arriving despite newly signed sanctions legislation; Congress may have questions…
North Korea and China Open Their Biggest Border Bridge
The New York Times reports the long-delayed New Yalu River Bridge opens as the two countries expand trade despite international sanctions on North…
Pope Leo progressing as expected after lung surgery, doctors say
NBC News reports doctors say the pope is recovering on schedule after lung cancer surgery, while the New York Times says the Church runs on autopilot.