Sep 25, 2026 · 16 min
France Reinforces Saudi Arabia As Houthi Conflict Widens
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 25th, 2026: France Deploys Ground Troops To Saudi Arabia & China’s Nuclear Program Draws Scrutiny
France’s military deployment signals a broader international response as Saudi Arabia seeks partners and Washington scrutinizes China’s expanding nuclear capabilities.
- 1France is sending troops and defensive systems to Saudi Arabia amid escalating Houthi attacks and widening regional tensions.
- 2Riyadh is seeking additional military backing from Turkey and Pakistan as it confronts Iran-backed Houthi forces.
- 3The Trump administration suspects China conducted secret nuclear tests while rapidly expanding its arsenal and resisting transparency.
Don't miss
France’s deployment of troops and defensive systems to Saudi Arabia marks a direct international response to the widening Houthi conflict.
The brief
The briefing opens on rising Houthi-Saudi tensions, with France deploying troops and defensive systems to Saudi Arabia as the conflict widens.
Riyadh is also seeking military support from Turkey and Pakistan, signaling that Saudi Arabia wants a broader security network beyond its existing partners.
The regional crisis reaches the Red Sea, including the Saudi port city of Yanbo, as attacks and defensive preparations raise the stakes for maritime security.
The episode then turns to China, where the Trump administration suspects secret nuclear tests and is alarmed by Beijing’s rapid arsenal expansion.
China’s resistance to greater transparency leaves Washington confronting uncertainty on both the scale of its nuclear buildup and the intentions behind it.
Featuring
TurkeyListen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.