Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s foreign policy missteps in the Middle East are drawing comparisons to former President Lyndon Johnson’s troubled record in Vietnam. The latest mishap involved the crash of a third MQ-9 Reaper drone in Yemen, costing taxpayers $90 million combined for all three incidents. This comes as Hamas-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the drone crashes and launched anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Red Sea.
Biden Loses Third MQ-9 Reaper Drone to Desert-Dwelling Terrorists, Closing in on $100 Million Loss for Taxpayers https://t.co/UtwtElLoRu
— The Patriot Project (@patriotproj) May 1, 2024
The Biden administration has largely sided with Israel against the terrorist group Hamas, leading to a broader response from the Houthi rebels, who are funded by Iran. The ongoing conflict has prompted the United States and other nations to conduct airstrikes in Yemen and defend shipping at sea, but these efforts have not deterred the Houthi’s attacks.
Despite claims from a Pentagon deputy press secretary that the U.S. will continue to protect commercial shipping and its forces, the operations against the Houthis have not been effective. The rebels’ ability to counter drone warfare is a concerning development, especially considering the potential for future conflicts in other regions.
While the Middle East has long been a challenging theater for U.S. foreign policy, Biden’s handling of the situation is increasingly coming under scrutiny. The comparison to Johnson’s struggles in Vietnam is particularly notable, as the administration grapples with escalating tensions and escalating costs in the region.
The situation in the Middle East has only added to the criticism following the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. With ongoing tensions with Iran and the Houthis, the Biden administration is facing significant challenges in the region.
