The Houthis have shattered Trump's war strategy
A lightning offensive by the Iran-aligned Houthis has put them in a position to control a crucial Middle East waterway, creating a major new problem for United States President Donald Trump as his war with Iran grinds on in its seventh month.
The Iran-aligned Houthis have advanced along Yemen's coast, putting them in a position to control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial Middle East waterway. This development poses a significant problem for President Donald Trump as his war with Iran continues into its seventh month. The Houthis reached the island of Perim, situated in the middle of the strait between Yemen and Africa, which exacerbates the situation for Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia heavily relies on Red Sea ports for oil exports, as the Strait of Hormuz, located on the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula, has effectively been closed by the war. The Houthis' advance comes at a challenging time for Trump, who is already dealing with low approval ratings and seeking a way out of the conflict. Iran remains strong and defiant, despite facing military and economic setbacks.
Stephen Wertheim, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, stated that the Houthis' actions have disrupted Trump's plan to squeeze Iran's economy while keeping military conflict minimal. The US administration must weigh its national security interests, such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and empower regional partners to manage and resolve regional security challenges.
Iran has previously disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, constraining a fifth of global oil supplies and 12% of global trade. The Houthis' control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would deal another economic blow, constraining an additional seven percent of global petroleum supplies and about 12% of global trade. Trump now faces a crucial decision: allocate US forces and limited air-defense munitions to counter the Houthis or allow Saudi Arabia and its allies, along with a Yemeni government based in the south, to confront them alone.
This choice would have significant consequences for US forces, air-defense munitions, and the potential risks of missile attacks from Yemen. The US needs to collaborate with Saudi Arabia on intelligence sharing for their air campaign and step up diplomatic and material support for Yemen's internationally recognized government, as the Houthis' actions could significantly impact global energy and trade.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
