A Necessary Stand Against Piracy
The Red Sea, a lifeline for global commerce, has been under siege by Houthi militants in Yemen, who’ve turned one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes into a battleground. These Iran-backed rebels have attacked U.S. forces and commercial vessels with impunity, disrupting trade and threatening American lives. President Donald Trump, in a letter to Congress dated March 28, 2025, announced a decisive response: large-scale military strikes to cripple the Houthis’ ability to wage war. This isn’t just a military operation; it’s a bold declaration that America will no longer tolerate threats to its interests or the free flow of global trade.
For too long, the Biden administration’s tepid approach allowed these pirates to run rampant. Houthi attacks, which surged to over 190 since late 2023, sank ships, killed mariners, and slashed Red Sea cargo transits by 90%. The economic fallout was staggering, with shipping companies forced to reroute around Africa, jacking up costs and delaying goods. Trump’s Operation Rough Rider, launched on March 15, 2025, is a game-changer. It’s a signal to the world that America is back, ready to protect its people and its allies with unrelenting strength.
The Houthi Threat: Iran’s Puppet in Yemen
The Houthis, formally Ansar Allah, are no ragtag militia. Backed by Iran’s weapons and funding, they’ve morphed into a formidable force, controlling much of northern Yemen since seizing Sanaa in 2014. Their arsenal of drones and ballistic missiles has targeted not just U.S. and commercial ships but also Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other regional players. Their stated motive—solidarity with Palestinians—rings hollow when you consider their indiscriminate attacks on vessels from dozens of nations. This is about power, chaos, and Iran’s bid to destabilize the Middle East.
Trump’s strikes zero in on the heart of their operations: leadership, command centers, and munitions depots. U.S. Navy ships and Air Force bombers have pounded Houthi strongholds across Sanaa, Saada, and Hodeida, eliminating key figures and degrading their attack capabilities. The operation, costing nearly $1 billion in three weeks, isn’t cheap, but the price of inaction would be far higher. Left unchecked, the Houthis would choke global trade and embolden Iran’s broader network of proxies, from Hezbollah to Hamas.
Some voices, particularly those nostalgic for Obama-era appeasement, argue for diplomacy with the Houthis. They point to Yemen’s humanitarian crisis—21 million in need, 4.5 million displaced—as a reason to hold back. But negotiating with terrorists who fire missiles at civilian ships is a fantasy. The Houthis have exploited ceasefires to rearm and regroup, prolonging Yemen’s misery. Trump’s approach, by contrast, prioritizes results over rhetoric, tackling the root of the threat head-on.
Restoring America’s Global Leadership
Operation Rough Rider isn’t just about Yemen; it’s about reasserting America’s role as the world’s indispensable power. The Red Sea crisis exposed the failures of Biden’s foreign policy, which coddled Iran and left allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia vulnerable. Trump’s strategy flips the script. By deploying additional forces to the Middle East, including air defense systems and reconnaissance aircraft, he’s bolstering U.S. and allied security while sending a clear message to Tehran: your proxies will pay a price.
Historical parallels drive the point home. In the early 19th century, America fought the Barbary pirates to secure maritime trade in the Mediterranean. Those victories established the U.S. as a serious naval power. Today, Trump’s campaign against the Houthis echoes that legacy, safeguarding not just American interests but the global economy. The Red Sea carries 12% of world trade, and its security is non-negotiable. Unlike his predecessor, Trump understands that strength, not concessions, deters aggressors.
Critics, including some in Congress, clutch at the War Powers Resolution, claiming Trump’s strikes overstep executive authority. They demand congressional approval, citing the 1973 law’s 60-day limit on unauthorized military action. But this argument ignores reality. The Houthis’ attacks on U.S. forces and ships constitute an immediate threat, justifying swift action under Trump’s constitutional powers as Commander in Chief. Waiting for a gridlocked Congress to act would only embolden the enemy.
The Road Ahead: Strength Over Weakness
The strikes have already delivered results. Houthi casualties include senior leaders, and their ability to launch complex attacks is waning. Yet they remain defiant, vowing retaliation with Iran’s backing. This resilience underscores the need for sustained pressure, not a premature pullback. Trump’s commitment to continue operations until the Houthi threat is neutralized is the right call. Anything less would hand a victory to Iran and its proxies, undermining decades of U.S. efforts to stabilize the Middle East.
Beyond Yemen, Trump’s broader Middle East policy—doubling down on Israel, deepening Gulf partnerships, and countering Iran—sets a clear path forward. The Abraham Accords, a triumph of his first term, are poised for expansion, while new security coalitions could lock in regional stability. Contrast this with the chaos of 2023, when Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and soft stance on Iran fueled the Middle East’s descent into violence. Trump’s return to power offers a chance to correct those failures.
America’s enemies thrive on perceived weakness. The Houthis, like Iran, bet on a divided, distracted West. Trump’s decisive action proves them wrong. By protecting U.S. forces, securing global trade, and standing firm with allies, he’s restoring the strength that keeps the world’s bad actors in check. The Red Sea will not be a playground for pirates—not on his watch.