Iran is testing the West’s resolve, says Charley Cooper
Many in the West have spent the past 24 hours googling "Houthis" and trying to understand why the US and UK have joined forces to launch strikes against the group
The armed Yemeni militia, which controls the capital city of Sana’a, has recently launched attacks on global shipping interests in the Red Sea. Today’s military action against them is, on the face of it, designed to blunt their ability to harm trade.
To explain why the US and UK decided to act now, however, it is critical to understand who supports the Houthis: Iran.
Broader instability in the Middle East has long been fomented by the Iranian regime, an avowed foe of the West and key rival to Saudi Arabia for dominance in the region.
Iran operates through proxies like Hezbollah and allies of convenience like Hamas rather than risking direct conflict with stronger military powers.
In the wake of the Oct 7 attacks, Iran has played a dangerous game of indirectly stoking violence and unrest aimed at Israel, while
avoiding actions that would invite Western involvement in a broader war.
So, when he sends in the US military, it must be serious. This is about more than commerce.
Iran is testing the West’s resolve. Biden and his advisors recognize that unchecked aggression by Iran and its allies will only encourage more aggression.