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Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/opinion/signal-houthis-strikes-iran.html
The U.S. Strike on the Houthis Was a Necessary Blow
(New York Times) Gen. (ret.) Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. - The U.S. strike against the Houthis on March 15 marked the beginning of a necessary military campaign and a potential turning of the page for the United States in the Middle East. The Biden administration mostly chose to ignore the growing threat to world commerce posed by the Houthis. Its responses were telegraphed and thoroughly watered down to avoid any possibility of escalation by Iran, and, concomitantly, any lasting damage to the Houthis. Striking the Houthi position in Yemen serves U.S. interests first and foremost. By trying to assure safe passage through Bab el-Mandeb, the strait that leads into the Red Sea, we're doing much more than simply aiding European commerce. First, the concept of uncontested maritime transit is fundamental to our security. Second, China is watching us, and will draw conclusions from our actions with Yemen about what we will or will not tolerate happening to Taiwan. Finally, striking the Houthis weakens the one still-fully functional arm of Iranian malfeasance in the region. Using air power alone to defeat militias has traditionally been difficult. In this case, though, the goal is not to eliminate the Houthis. It is to force them to cease using high-technology missiles and drones to attack ships at sea. This is a much narrower and more achievable mission. The Houthi attacks have an electronic and visual signature that is uniquely discoverable, and it plays into our high-tech approach. The decision to shift oversight for Israel from the European Command, which focuses on Russia, to Central Command, which is responsible for Iran, has aligned Israel with a command center facing the same problem set. That created the structure and processes that have enabled Israel to work with the U.S. and regional neighbors to successfully defend against two major Iranian attacks in 2024. This is a big deal. The writer led the U.S. Central Command until his retirement in 2022.