When Yemen’s Ansarullah movement, better known as the Houthis, started attacking Israel-affiliated shipping in support of Palestinians last November, fears arose that Arab energy exports to Europe could be affected. But even as the Houthis have additionally begun targeting British and US vessels in response to western airstrikes, Saudi Arabia has surprisingly managed to escape unscathed. This is largely thanks to the Kingdom’s strategic investment in crisis infrastructure. Today, Riyadh can bypass the southern part of the Red Sea and is less reliant on the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz. However, more than ever, it is clear that the Kingdom cannot build its way out of regional turmoil.

Even as much of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have turned into a battleground, Saudi Arabia has continued shipping oil to European clients hassle-free. However, this strategy could haunt Riyadh in the long term. By constructing...