PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 16th, 2026: Inside America’s Secret Meeting With the Houthis & Attacks on U.S.-Bound Tankers
Summary
Mike Baker reports on a secret US-Houthi meeting in Oman, where the group pledged to avoid attacking American vessels while escalating its offensive against Saudi Arabia. The episode analyzes how this dynamic benefits Iran and threatens global energy security, particularly with Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline offline and Houthi control over the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Additionally, the show covers US investigations into cyber attacks on oil and LNG tankers near the Strait of Gibraltar, raising concerns about potential Iranian interference with critical shipping routes.
Topics discussed
Introduction and PDB Premium membership promo
Show opening and agenda overview
Secret US-Houthi meeting details in Oman
Houthi pledges and Iranian proxy dynamics
Houthi military gains and Saudi airstrikes
US diplomatic dilemma and Saudi requests for aid
Oil supply risks: Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb
Sponsor segment: Ethos Life Insurance
Sponsor segment: Superpower Health
Cyber attacks on oil and LNG tankers
Strait of Gibraltar security and show outro
Sponsor segment: ExciteOSA sleep device
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