Jake Shields, a retired mixed martial arts champion and popular right-wing podcaster and influencer, whom the Southern Poverty Law Center has accused of promoting “antisemitism, racism and bigotry,” posts about the Epstein files regularly. On a recent episode of his show, he spoke about the fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, expressing admiration for the militia’s resilience. “I’m a big fan,” he said of the Houthis. “I think they’re kind of badass.” It was precisely the kind of reputation and response that experts say the Houthis have sought to cultivate with their military and messaging campaigns.

 

The Epstein Files Produce an Unlikely Weapon for the Houthi Messaging Wars

The Yemeni militia is using the culture of its sworn enemies in the renewed fighting with Saudi Arabia.