Staff Reports
The Middle East is once again on the brink, as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have escalated their campaign against Israel, launching a series of missile attacks that triggered air raid sirens in Jerusalem and even struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport. This marks the fourth such attack in just one day, exposing the glaring limitations of current U.S. and Israeli missile defense systems and highlighting the growing boldness of Iran’s proxies in the region. Despite repeated airstrikes by both the U.S. and Israel, the Houthis remain undeterred, emboldened by years of Western indecision and a lack of meaningful consequences for their aggression.
The Trump administration, now in its second term, has responded with a show of force, deploying additional aircraft carriers and B-2 bombers to the region, and authorizing a sustained air campaign against Houthi targets. Yet, as Vice President J.D. Vance has pointed out, simply keeping shipping lanes open is not enough. The cost of these operations is soaring-approaching $1 billion in a matter of weeks-while the Houthis continue to fire missiles and drones with impunity. It’s clear that airstrikes alone are not delivering the decisive results that America and its allies need.
This situation underscores a hard truth: the era of half-measures and endless “strategic patience” is over. The Houthis, hardened by years of conflict and backed by Iran’s regime, are not going to be bombed into submission. Military strategists and regional partners are increasingly calling for a comprehensive approach, including the possibility of ground operations and a coalition with regional allies like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Only through a united front and a willingness to use overwhelming force can the U.S. and its partners hope to restore deterrence and stability.
Meanwhile, the left continues to wring its hands over the humanitarian impact and preaches restraint, ignoring the reality that weakness only invites more aggression from America’s adversaries. The Trump administration’s willingness to take bold action is a refreshing change from the previous era of appeasement, but it must be matched with a clear strategy and the resolve to see it through. The safety of Israel, the security of global commerce, and America’s credibility as a superpower are all on the line.
If the United States and its allies fail to act decisively, they risk emboldening not just the Houthis, but Iran and its entire network of proxies across the region. The world is watching to see if America will step up and lead, or if it will allow chaos and terror to spread unchecked. Now is the time for strength, clarity, and a commitment to victory-anything less will only ensure that these crises continue to multiply.
