Houthi Of A Good Time ?

(Houthi Of A Good Time ?)

It is a common saying that if one continues to poke a bear, the bear at some point will poke back. That can be serious. Unless one is President Biden, the most poked bear in history, has finally acted more forcefully in the evolving conflict in the Near East. Houthi insurgents that have been harassing Red Sea commerce and have been taking pot-shots at US navy units in theater, were just subjected to a series of air strikes, the usual target list of ammo depots, command and control nodes and so on. These were done with the Secretary of Defense remains in the hospital and the President is a rare find himself.

The "war" has been in progress ostensibly since October 7th with the initial Hamas assault on Israel. But the story is older. The Houthi's as a group had been declared a terrorist organization in their own right by President Trump. President Biden for his part, reversed that decision. Today, however, the U.S. and U.K is launching sorties against the terror group. But, to that extent ? Some 60 targets were struck but was this action decisive ? Anybody can throw a cruise missile into a tent but what had been required was a more devastating display. Strikes against the Houthis need to be as comprehensive as the IDF decimating Hamas.

However, because these strikes were a one-night affair and not some sustained campaign as would be required under normal planning, the terror group has promised its own retaliation. Because there was not the will in either Washington or London, as well as other contributing nations, to wage a broader effort. That being said, Biden's efforts to slow walk events so a more direct conflict with Iran.

However, engaging in what amounts to pin prick attacks against an Iranian proxy will not be sufficient. At some point, the Islamic Republic will need to be confronted more forcefully. Sanctions need to be re-applied, especially in Iran's ability to sell oil, whose profits from Tehran is the funding and support for not only the Houthi's but also for Hamas, or what is left of it, and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

However. that there has been action of any type is a positive development. It is not complete and more obviously is required. It will depend on how willing the President is to abandon his appeasement of Iran, the root of all evil.