“The U.S.-led campaign against the Houthi rebels, overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, has turned into the most intense running sea battle the Navy has faced since World War II,” reported Jon Gambrell for the Associated Press on June 14.
Just this weekend, the guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS O’Kane (DDG 77) intercepted a barrage of Houthi-launched weapons, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. The attacks targeted U.S. merchant ships but resulted in no injuries or vessel damage, thanks to swift Navy action. Still, the strikes highlight the Houthis’ aggressive campaign to disrupt international shipping, bolstered by Iranian weaponry.
The economic impact has been devastating. Red Sea trade has plunged by 90% in the past year, hitting over 65 countries. Egypt alone has reportedly lost $6 billion in revenue. Critics have called the Biden administration’s response ineffective, noting it hasn’t significantly weakened the Houthis or cut off their access to Iranian arms. Ilan Berman of the American Foreign Policy Council argues for a firmer stance, including re-designating the Houthis as terrorists—a Trump-era policy reversed by Biden—or even labeling them pirates to impose harsher penalties.
While this conflict flies under the radar domestically, it’s poised to become a major challenge for @realDonaldTrump. Without decisive action, the media could easily spin this into “Trump’s War.” Yet there’s hope for resolution: the Houthis may seek an agreement before contending with a new, more assertive administration. After 14 months of disjointed U.S. strategy, they may find it wise to act before facing what could be a far tougher approach under Trump.
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