The article discusses the significance of a military strike against the Houthis by the Trump administration and how it signifies a crucial shift in U.S. military policy in the Middle East. It argues that the Biden administration's muted response to the Houthi threat overlooks the broader implications for international commerce and U.S. security. The strike aims to secure vital maritime routes, especially through Bab el-Mandeb, counter Iranian influence, and demonstrate U.S. resolve to allies like Taiwan. The complexity of defeating such militias remains a challenge, highlighting the nuance in military objectives.
It's unfortunate that the recent uproar over the use of the Signal messaging app by senior leadership in the Trump administration has obscured the importance of the event they were discussing: a strike against the Houthis on March 15.
The Biden administration mostly chose to ignore the growing threat to world commerce posed by the Houthis, an Iran-backed group that President Trump has designated a terrorist organization.
By trying to assure safe passage through Bab el-Mandeb, the strait that leads into the Red Sea and is critical to international shipping routes, we're doing much more than simply aiding European commerce.
Using air power alone to defeat militias has traditionally been difficult. In this case, though, there's a distinction that has been overlooked by many critics: The goal is not to eliminate the Houthis.
Collection
[
|
...
]