Staff Reports
A missile attack launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport this week, forcing a temporary shutdown and exposing the persistent threat these militants pose to Israel and international air traffic. Despite the deployment of advanced U.S. and Israeli missile defense systems, the Houthi projectile managed to evade interception, highlighting the limitations of current strategies and the growing sophistication of Iran’s proxies in the region.
Israel responded swiftly, launching airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah port in a clear message of deterrence. Yet, this tit-for-tat underscores a troubling reality: after months of robust U.S. and Israeli military campaigns, the Houthis remain emboldened and operational, continuing to disrupt global trade and threaten key allies. The Biden administration’s earlier hesitancy and the international community’s lack of resolve have only allowed Iran’s influence to metastasize, leaving the Trump administration to clean up the mess with a renewed and more aggressive approach.
President Trump’s resumption of airstrikes-now under Operation Rough Rider-has been relentless, with over a thousand Houthi targets hit since March. However, the Houthis’ ability to launch four attacks in a single day, and their vow to repeatedly target Israeli airports, raise serious questions about the effectiveness of an air campaign alone. Military experts and retired generals have argued that without a comprehensive strategy-including ground operations and coalition support from regional partners like Saudi Arabia-the airstrikes risk becoming little more than a costly exercise in futility.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has bolstered its presence in the Red Sea, deploying two aircraft carrier strike groups to project power and ensure freedom of navigation. While this show of force is necessary, it’s clear that deterrence requires more than just military hardware. The Houthis, emboldened by Iranian backing and regional instability, are undeterred by displays of might when not matched with decisive, coordinated action.
The ongoing crisis is a stark reminder of the importance of American strength and resolve in the face of adversaries who only respect power. Half-measures and diplomatic platitudes have failed to contain the threat. If the U.S. and its allies are serious about restoring security to the Red Sea and supporting Israel, it’s time for a multi-pronged strategy that combines overwhelming military force with diplomatic and regional coalition-building. Anything less will only embolden Iran and its proxies, leaving American interests and allies at risk.
