WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and 12 allies issued what amounted to a final warning to Houthi rebels on Wednesday to cease their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea or face potential targeted military action.
The Yemen-based militants have carried out at least 23 attacks in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza since Dec. 19.
A senior Biden administration official declined to detail rules of possible engagement if the attacks continue, but underscored that the Iranian-backed Houthis should “not anticipate another warning” from the U.S. and its allies.
I find it very weird the US is showing such restraint here.
I get it’s because of Saudi truce with the Houthis, but the entire purpose of the vessels being there is to combat exactly this thing. Allowing Iran to wage this proxy terrorism against our own naval vessels is not something id have expected.
I think the hope was that they had the capacity to intercept ALL attacks (missiles, drones) before they actually hit anything. If you can provide an impenetrable shield, you can let your enemies flail against it without needing to spend any political capital in the region, which is the ideal outcome.
The USAs stockpile of military assets is for all intents and purposes infinite. The cost of expenditure is nil. So easily replaced. Honestly, excited to replace because it keeps the industrial complex humming along. The know-how is there to replenish that resource.
Political capital in the middle east? THAT is in shot supply. THAT is hard to build back after it’s spent. The know-how isn’t there for that resource.
This is a great take man. Nothing to add but this is a solid perspective.