Deciphering Biden's Yemen Strategy: Aiming to Undermine, Not Obliterate the Houthis
President Joe Biden is adopting a strategy in Yemen that aims to weaken the Houthi rebels through a mix of targeted military strikes and sanctions.
This approach seeks to avoid escalating into a broader Middle East conflict while responding to the Houthis' assaults on key Red Sea shipping lanes. However, the effectiveness of this strategy to stop the rebels' aggression remains uncertain.
Although this strategy aims to limit the Houthis' capacity for attacks, raising the possibility of an ongoing conflict, experts express skepticism about its efficacy. Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies doubts its impact, especially on deterring Red Sea attacks.
The Houthis justify their maritime aggression as a form of support for Palestinians against Israel, disrupting international trade and raising global economic concerns. Despite U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets, including missile and drone sites, rebel offensives have persisted.
U.S. military actions, informed by real-time intelligence, demonstrate readiness to strike emerging threats. National security adviser Jake Sullivan indicates the potential for continued military responses.
The conflict with the U.S. may serve the Houthis' interests, possibly reinforcing their support in Yemen and enhancing their image within the Iran-supported "Axis of Resistance." Even with U.S. bombings, the Houthis seem resilient, able to rebuild their arsenal with presumed Iranian assistance.
In a move that balances escalation with humanitarian concerns, the Biden administration has designated the Houthis as a global terrorist group but delayed the full implications of the label by 30 days, stopping short of an "FTO" classification, which entails harsher consequences.
The administration maintains a commitment to resolving the Yemen conflict and pursuing a stable ceasefire between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
However, Biden's strategy overlooks the influence of Iran, the Houthis' main backer, and may drain U.S. naval resources, which are also vital elsewhere globally.
The cost-effectiveness of the U.S. presence, relative to the lower-cost support Iran provides to the Houthis, raises further strategic questions.
Although this strategy aims to limit the Houthis' capacity for attacks, raising the possibility of an ongoing conflict, experts express skepticism about its efficacy. Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies doubts its impact, especially on deterring Red Sea attacks.
The Houthis justify their maritime aggression as a form of support for Palestinians against Israel, disrupting international trade and raising global economic concerns. Despite U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets, including missile and drone sites, rebel offensives have persisted.
U.S. military actions, informed by real-time intelligence, demonstrate readiness to strike emerging threats. National security adviser Jake Sullivan indicates the potential for continued military responses.
The conflict with the U.S. may serve the Houthis' interests, possibly reinforcing their support in Yemen and enhancing their image within the Iran-supported "Axis of Resistance." Even with U.S. bombings, the Houthis seem resilient, able to rebuild their arsenal with presumed Iranian assistance.
In a move that balances escalation with humanitarian concerns, the Biden administration has designated the Houthis as a global terrorist group but delayed the full implications of the label by 30 days, stopping short of an "FTO" classification, which entails harsher consequences.
The administration maintains a commitment to resolving the Yemen conflict and pursuing a stable ceasefire between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
However, Biden's strategy overlooks the influence of Iran, the Houthis' main backer, and may drain U.S. naval resources, which are also vital elsewhere globally.
The cost-effectiveness of the U.S. presence, relative to the lower-cost support Iran provides to the Houthis, raises further strategic questions.
