In an escalating series of nearly 92 attacks on U.S. soldiers, it appears that Iran-sponsored Houthi rebels have launched drone attacks on forces. Despite these actions, there are warnings against the formation of a task force in the Red Sea.
As these threats grow, authorities urge action to directly address Iran, asserting that there should be a cost for the actions of the Houthi rebels and Iran's proxies in Iraq, particularly those attacking American soldiers. Despite the U.S. military's prowess, with its aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, submarines, soldiers, and bombers, the lack of political will to directly challenge these adversaries threatens to undermine the U.S.'s defenses.
In addition to the direct attacks, the Houthi spokesperson has announced a blockade on Israel by attacking international shipping. This only heightens the fear that some soldier or sailor will lose their life before any effective action is taken.
Current defensive strategies allow the U.S. military to defend themselves by shooting down incoming missiles but prohibit them from targeting the Houthi missile launchers themselves, let alone Iran. Critics argue that this merely emboldens the aggressors.
Taking action against the Houthi rebels as a proxy for Iran garners some debate, however, there is a consensus around the ineffectiveness of targeting their drones while leaving the rebels themselves untouched. They argue, echoing the old Navy phrase, that it is futile to only shoot the arrow and not the archer.
Those calling for greater action point towards incidents in 1988 when Ronald Reagan successfully deterred Iran by sinking five of their ships after they mined the Gulf. However, this simmers among concerns about appeasement strategies potentially encouraging Iran's actions instead of deterring them.
In the midst of these arising concerns, the involvement of Arab nations, for whom the Red Sea International Water Passageway is crucial, remains uncertain. Regardless, with 15 to 20 percent of global shipping flowing through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, the current escalating situation is increasingly becoming a threat to the global economy. Therefore, the pressure is mounting for the U.S. authorities to take more aggressive action to ensure the safety of their soldiers and global shipping routes.
