Houthi advances leave Trump with only bad choices
Washington appears loath to step into another front as new oil disruptions send prices soaring.
The Trump administration finds itself with limited good options in the Middle East after Houthi militants gained control of strategic territory, particularly the Red Sea port of Mokha and three islands crucial for controlling the waterway. Yemeni forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, were unable to repel the Houthis' advances, leaving the U.S. with few appealing choices.
The administration could either intervene, leading to potential conflict and oil price increases, or stand by and bear the consequences of rising oil prices, which surged to $109 a barrel following the Houthi seizure. Neither option is particularly appealing to the U.S. and some observers perceive the White House as indifferent to the region's developments.
A senior administration official reiterated the U.S. focus on protecting core national security interests and empowering regional partners to manage security challenges, while also engaging with Houthi representatives. The U.S. maintains strong military ties with Saudi Arabia, but the prospect of further escalation appears limited.
The White House's response to the Houthi gains has been described as tepid, possibly due to recent developments that have left Washington reeling. The Gulf states and Iran are also involved in the situation, and a meeting scheduled in Oman was postponed due to Saudi Arabia's demands. While military intervention may be considered, the markets are already pricing in the political risks, potentially keeping fuel prices high.
Written by urgent.news from Politico EU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
