The Houthis' Ship Attacks: Why the US Hasn't Retaliated

The U.S. has refrained from retaliating against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen who have been escalating their attacks on ships in the Red Sea, unlike its strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. U.S. officials argue that the Houthis haven't directly targeted U.S. vessels or forces, although Navy ship captains may question this distinction. The U.S. is cautious about upending the fragile truce in Yemen and triggering a wider conflict in the region. While military action remains an option, the Biden administration wants to preserve the truce and is exploring alternatives such as using a naval task force to escort commercial ships in the Red Sea.