Biden’s Weakness Empowers Iran’s Proxy War Through the Houthis, Disrupting Global Trade Through the Red Sea
As Israel’s efforts to eliminate Hamas continue, the Biden Administration’s refusal to deter Iran ensures that the conflict in the Middle East will worsen. Following the Oct. 7 attacks of its proxy, Hamas, and over 100 attacks on U.S. military bases across the region, Iran has broadened its malign activities by assisting and coordinating Houthi strikes on commercial trade vessels in the Red Sea. As has been the case elsewhere with its approach to Iran, the Biden Administration’s failure to lead has emboldened Iranian aggression; and Biden’s reactive, indecisive approach to Iran’s escalations will only result in more war and instability. This weakness on the part of Biden harms Israel, the American people, and – ultimately – the world through a wider war that could further involve U.S. forces.
The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have made clear what happens when the United States’ leaders fail to demonstrate strength and leadership on the world stage. While our nation possesses enormous natural resources, our economy is global, and the cost and availability of everyday goods for all Americans is put at great risk when global avenues of trade and commerce are threatened – routes that have been secured by our own military and that of our partners and allies for decades. Nearly 12% of all world trade that passes through the Red Sea and the current months-long disruption in the face of the Biden Administration’s indecisiveness has resulted in real costs for the American people. Global oil prices have risen in response to fears over continued supply disruptions, while some shipping companies have even begun to re-route their trade around the Horn of Africa – a costlier, longer route that will result in higher costs for consumers. Insurance rates have risen as well, obviously, driving prices up further. Indeed, insurance costs for Israel-bound ships have increased by 250%, leaving them little choice but to take the longer, more expensive route to reach the Jewish state.
The Biden Administration’s response to Iran’s aggression via the Houthis has been in line with its policy of appeasement toward Iran. Speaking about Team Biden’s approach, U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking recently stated: “The idea is not to engulf the region in a wider war, but rather to use the tools available to us to encourage the Houthis to dial back their reckless behavior.” Translation? We will not impose serious costs on the Houthis or Iran, even if these attacks continue. When the Ayatollah and his cronies hear statements such as these, they know they have a green light to continue harassing commercial shipping and attacking Israel.
Whatever tools this Administration believes it is using to “encourage” the Houthis to cease their activities are clearly not working either. The naval assets positioned by the Administration in the region have taken only minor steps in response to Houthi provocations – shooting down the occasional drone, taking out rockets aimed in Israel’s direction, and taking out three small boats that fired on U.S. forces – none of which have imposed real, weighty costs on either the terrorist rebels or the Iranian regime.
Predictably, this approach has not de-escalated the situation at all. Indeed, it has had the opposite effect of emboldening our adversaries, evident in Iran’s decision to move its own warship into the area to help the Houthis intensify their attacks. It has also discouraged coalition partners – gathered by the Administration last month in an attempt to show leadership – as roughly half of the nations that signed onto the coalition have refused to even acknowledge their own contributions, while two have actively distanced themselves from the effort. This is what happens when America’s leaders pursue appeasement: Our enemies grow bolder while our partners and allies lose confidence in U.S. leadership. Strength deters wars; weakness invites them.
If the Biden Administration wants to secure the Red Sea – indeed, if it wants a peaceful and prosperous Middle East – it must finally take the long overdue step of identifying the true problem in the region: Iran. This is what we did in the Trump Administration, and our efforts produced historic peace agreements while weakening Iran. The Biden Administration’s approach has only enriched the regime in Tehran, which is the common thread linking Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis; it helped Hamas plan its attacks on October 7, it has helped the Houthis coordinate and plan their attacks in the Red Sea, and it remains in close coordination with Hezbollah, which threatens Israel’s northern borders every day. Iran has set ablaze a ring of fire around Israel, one that grows hotter as the Ayatollah and his cronies become more convinced that the United States will not oppose it. Until this Administration takes proactive steps to weaken and neutralize Iran’s capacity to spread its malign influence, the situation in the Middle East will only continue to get worse and risks prolonging and widening the conflict in the region.
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