(JNS) In recent weeks, Yemen’s Houthis (officially known as Ansar Allah) have returned to the international agenda. A string of territorial gains by the group has strengthened their position along the Red Sea and around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, giving them greater ability to threaten one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
They have also renewed missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is seeking help, but neither its traditional ally (the United States) nor its new partners under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement (Pakistan and Turkey) appear willing to join a military campaign against the Houthis.
At the same time, U.S. officials have reportedly met with Houthi representatives in Oman, where the Houthis offered assurances that American vessels would not be attacked—underscoring Washington’s reluctance to enter the conflict.
That reluctance is understandable. The Trump administration is focused on a prolonged campaign against Iran, the midterm elections and an economy strained by inflation and high energy prices. It is also wary after its costly 2025 campaign against the Houthis, which ended without...
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