{
  "id": 6794150,
  "title": "US needs to 'up its game' in Yemen, former envoy says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/us-needs-to-up-its-game-in-yemen-former-envoy-says-6794150",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T19:24:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/09/11/yemen-diplomacy-us-houthis/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former US envoy Tim Lenderking has urged Washington to intensify its diplomatic efforts in Yemen, as Houthi rebels make significant gains in the country. Lenderking, who served as special envoy for Yemen during the Biden administration, emphasized that both political and military support is necessary to counter the Houthis' expansion. He pointed out that the Houthis now control Yemen's entire western coast, including Mokha port and the strategic island of Perim, giving them control over the Bab Al Mandeb strait. This control could provide Iran with an advantage in their conflict with the US, potentially restricting regional shipping and supply routes. Lenderking criticized the US approach to Yemen as \"laissez-faire,\" especially since President Trump's return to office, stating that the administration should show more interest and concern. The recent Houthi advances into islands near Yemeni territory have raised concerns about Iran's growing influence in the region. Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since 2014, following the Houthis' ousting of the internationally recognized government in Sanaa. While a truce was reached in 2022, the Houthis have continued to attack international shipping in the area. Lenderking argued that increased US involvement could help Gulf allies, but bombing the Houthis out of power would be challenging. He stressed that the US and Saudi Arabia should provide support to Yemeni government forces, particularly in Taiz, to prevent further Houthi expansion.",
  "summary": "The US needs to put more diplomatic focus on Yemen, Washington's former envoy to the country said on Friday, as the Houthi rebels make major advances. Tim Lenderking, who served as special envoy for Yemen during former president Joe Biden's administration, said that interested parties need to act now to halt Houthi expansion . “They need more support politically , and at the end of the day,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "US needs to 'up its game' in Yemen, former envoy says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/us-needs-to-up-its-game-in-yemen-former-envoy-says",
        "published": "2026-09-11T19:24:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}