The Trump administration’s strategy to reopen shipping lanes in the Suez Canal and Red Sea regions is facing challenges, as revealed by a group chat of top officials discussing U.S. battle plans. The chat, which was publicly exposed, highlights how the administration aims to use airstrikes against the Houthi militia in Yemen to secure commercial shipping lanes. Participants in the chat, including National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, suggest that U.S. military action is necessary to deter the Iran-backed Houthis from attacking ships in the Red Sea.

However, military experts and Middle East analysts caution against relying solely on air power, arguing that previous wars indicate air strikes alone are unlikely to be decisive. James R. Holmes of the Naval War College posits that occupying territory, rather than simply air strikes, is often necessary to achieve military goals.

Furthermore, the Houthis may use the U.S. strikes as a way to gain support domestically and regionally, potentially bolstering their position among other Iranian proxies. The U.S. has officially designated the Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization,” with President Trump vowing that the group will be “completely annihilated” and warning Iran to cease military support for the Houthis.

Despite the U.S. military’s daily strikes against Houthi targets, there is uncertainty about the long-term effectiveness of such actions. The Houthis have historically withstood extensive Saudi-led and U.S.-backed airstrikes. Moreover, the conflict’s impact on global shipping has led to alternative routes being established, bypassing the Suez Canal and Red Sea, which has allowed for the continuation of international trade.

The importance of the Suez Canal to global shipping is underlined by recent disruptions and diversions, yet European reliance on this route is greater than that of the United States. The U.S. decision to intervene militarily is also questioned, with some arguing that it should not unilaterally act to secure European shipping interests.

The situation underscores the complex geopolitical context of U.S. and European strategic interests in the Middle East and the maritime trade routes passing through it.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/world/middleeast/houthis-yemen-us-strikes-reality.html