Why Trump May Want to Avoid Messing With the Houthis

NBC News reports that airstrikes last year against the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen showed that a weaker adversary could hold the U.S. military at bay with inexpensive drones and missiles.[2]According to Axios, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump twice on the same day, urging him to launch strikes against the Houthis[3], and Trump rejected the request and agreed only to help the Saudis with intelligence and targeting data.[3]The Jerusalem Post, citing The New York Times, reports that Trump later ordered the Pentagon to prepare airstrikes, but by midday Sunday, however, Trump had changed his mind again.[4] Ynet, also citing the Times, reports that munitions had already been loaded onto fighter jets that were ready for takeoff[5] when he called off the strikes.The Jerusalem Post says, citing the Times, that most members of Trump's inner circle were either deeply skeptical of or directly opposed to joining Saudi Arabia's fight[4]. official told the Times the Houthis' understanding with Washington would likely collapse if Washington resumed airstrikes.[4]Writing in UnHerd, Daniel DePetris argued that "the Pentagon can't afford to be reckless with its munitions anymore."[6]Al Jazeera, citing the Los Angeles Times, reports that Trump told Fox News he "might not do it because of the elections"[7].