(GoRealNewsNow.com) – Concerns are mounting within the Biden administration over the potential escalation of Middle East conflict, especially regarding the threat to American troops by Iranian proxies.
This fear arises amid violent attacks by the Houthis, an Iranian-backed group, targeting U.S. interests and commercial vessels in strategic waterways like the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
The administration faces a delicate dilemma: responding firmly to these provocations without triggering a broader war, all while acknowledging the grim possibility of having to act decisively should American forces come under direct attack.
Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East peace negotiator, pointed out the administration’s hesitance to directly engage Iran due to fears of escalation. This cautious approach, however, seems to encourage pro-Iranian factions, including the Houthis, to strike at U.S. forces. Miller emphasized that direct action against Iranian assets might become an unavoidable recourse in the event of American casualties.
The Biden administration has launched several retaliatory strikes against the Houthis in reaction to their persistent attacks on U.S. interests.
Nonetheless, these measures have not deterred the Houthis from continuing their aggressive actions.
Following the initial U.S. military response, the administration moved to re-list the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, reversing an earlier decision made shortly after President Biden took office.
Jake Sullivan, a National Security Official, announced the renewed classification of the Houthis, also known as Ansarallah, as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” a move aimed at curtailing terrorist funding to the group.
Despite these actions, Biden has admitted to the limited effectiveness of the airstrikes in curbing Houthi aggression. When questioned by the media about the success of the airstrikes in Yemen, Biden conceded that they haven’t stopped the Houthis, although they will continue.
When asked by the media about the Houthis’ apparent disregard for U.S. efforts, John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, noted the difficulty in discerning the group’s motivations.
He clarified that the U.S. objectives are two-fold: to protect American naval forces and the ships of allied nations in the Red Sea and to safeguard international shipping lanes against threats.