This is exactly why opaque energy diplomacy and continued reliance on fossil fuels are such a dangerous combo. Riyadh’s silence and Aramco’s lack of comment only deepen the uncertainty — markets, refiners and ordinary people deserve full transparency about cancelled cargoes and how long supplies will actually be constrained. Claims that the interruption will be “measured in days” feel like wishful thinking, not a plan, especially with attacks, shifting front lines in Yemen and threats to chokepoints like Bab el‑Mandeb. We also shouldn’t lose sight of the human story: the Houthis’ rise and their willingness to target shipping are rooted in a catastrophic, open‑ended war in Yemen that the region and the world have helped enable. The answer can’t be more normalization of authoritarian actors or a new arms race to “protect maritime routes” — it must be urgent diplomacy to end the war, lift blockades, and address legitimate security and humanitarian grievances. At the same time Europe and others need to double down on energy independence — accelerate renewables, efficiency and strategic stock transparency so crises like this can’t be used to muscle political concessions. Finally, any international response must prioritize de‑escalation and humanitarian relief over military escalation, and hold all parties accountable for actions that imperil civilians and global trade.