Resolute US leadership is needed to stem Houthi Red Sea shipping attacks

In the shadow of Israel’s just war against Hamas, a widely acknowledged Iranian proxy, another of their cut-outs, the Houthis, have relentlessly escalated attacks in the Red Sea, jeopardizing critical global shipping routes. Their intensifying missile and drone strikes actively target and undermine international merchant vessels transiting waters vital for European and Asian trade.  

An increasing number of major shipping companies are actively steering clear of this vital route, facing economic repercussions from disrupted supply chains, while American interests in the region suffer due to a perceived lack of secure regional mobility. Absent a decisive response, the audacious scale of Houthi strikes on civilian shipping will likely increase. The United States must highlight its sustainable maritime capabilities — essential for the power projection we must now exhibit.  

Shockingly, the current administration has refused to take the necessary action to halt future Houthi strikes. Even as the Houthi commander admitted coordination with and direction from his Iranian overlords, Team Biden continued its deadly policy of appeasement. Extensive reporting in both American and regional news outlets has detailed how Tehran actively arms and funds the Houthis and has done so for years.  

Upon entering office, the administration swiftly delisted the Houthis as a terrorist organization without extracting concessions — forfeiting leverage while further emboldening this Iranian proxy to actively strangle global commerce. Meanwhile, its continued policy of appeasement counters security imperatives — for example, its partners in the Democratic-controlled Congress constraining defense support for Saudi Arabia signaled to enemies and allies alike how low the administration prioritizes meaningful containment measures against malign Iranian influence. Now Houthi containment has predictably failed, and stronger measures are required. Our last few years of empty threats and performative actions demand firm correction.

On Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an expanded maritime protection force involving Arab states. Austin claims that this force, larger than the existing Task Force 153 operating out of Bahrain, will reassure commercial shipping companies by actively countering Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, but there are many hard-learned reasons to be skeptical of Austin’s claims this task force will not just be more of the same.

Ultimately, this is a battle against the Iranian axis of terror, which now threatens to close the maritime strait of Bab el-Mandeb. This jeopardizes the freedom of navigation for the entire world. The stakes are high, and resolute action is imperative to counter this threat and protect global maritime interests. Until America reestablishes deterrence and supports allies, turmoil and catastrophe will intensify alongside growing Iranian hegemony.   
A robust Navy stands as the cornerstone of U.S. national security. Ensuring a powerful and capable naval force is a strategic imperative for safeguarding our nation’s interests and maintaining global influence. Throughout history, the strength of the Navy has been synonymous with the resilience and security of the United States. Neglecting the enduring principles that have supported generations of trade undermines the cornerstone of U.S. global leadership and compromises our national security. 

Resolute leadership must stem the crisis in the Red Sea before it irreparably compromises a vital artery of global commerce. The Biden administration is risking unraveling centuries of American naval dominance that always constituted an essential guardian of liberty and economic might. From John Paul Jones to Admiral Nimitz, stalwart commitment to maritime mobility and power projection girded young America’s rise.  

Through war, peace, and shifting tides, mastery of the oceans created a bedrock for U.S. security and trade that endures. The time for a course correction is now. We must only look to our history, and its giants who made supreme deterrence at sea our nation’s foundation and future. 

Simone Ledeen is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East. She was responsible for U.S. defense policy for Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Ledeen advises several venture capital and early-stage defense technology firms.