Too Much to Ask? When Will Biden Stand Up to Houthi Rebels?

This article originally appeared in Newsmax on December 15, 2023. 

Will Team Biden Ever Stand Up to Adversaries?

Since the horrific Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack against Israel, the Houthi rebels, an Iranian terrorist proxy group in Yemen, have attempted to join the Israel-Hamas War by firing missiles and attack drones against Israel and shipping in the Red Sea.

Most of these projectiles fell short of their targets or were shot down; a few struck commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

The Houthis also hijacked a ship with ties to Israel late last month.

Earlier this month, the U.S. asked Israel not to retaliate against the Houthis over the missile attacks out of concern this could escalate tensions with Iran.

Instead, the U.S. is working to assemble a maritime coalition in the Red Sea to deter further Houthi attacks.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 12 that several nations are sending ships or considering doing so.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said earlier today the Houthi rebels are a "threat to freedom of navigation to commercial shipping" and said the U.S. is forming a broad coalition to stop the Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping.

Sullivan blamed Iran for these attacks, saying "while the Houthis are pulling the trigger, so to speak, they’re being handed the gun by Iran."

Iran on Thursday rejected U.S. plans to form a maritime coalition to counter the Houthi attacks, warning that such a force would face "extraordinary problems".

Read full op-ed in Newsmax.