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The Lawfare Podcast

Lawfare Daily: The U.S. Bombing of Yemen and the Houthi Response

Mar 21, 2025
Gregory Johnsen, a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute and a leading Yemen expert, discusses the U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen and its implications. He argues that the Houthis welcome conflict with America and Israel, seeking to leverage this for domestic support. The conversation delves into the complexities of U.S. military strategies, the challenges of foreign intervention, and the Houthi's strategic calculations amidst ongoing power struggles.
22:16

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen under the Trump administration aims to deter the Houthis, but they may exploit the situation to increase their domestic support.
  • The fragmented nature of the anti-Houthi coalition and reliance on airstrikes alone could hinder U.S. efforts to achieve a decisive military victory.

Deep dives

U.S. Military Strategy and Houthi Response

The U.S. recently escalated its military operations in Yemen, conducting extensive airstrikes against Houthi positions to deter further attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The strategy marks a shift from previous approaches that included limited strikes under the Biden administration, which failed to adequately degrade Houthi capabilities. The Trump administration's current objective is to make clear to the Houthis that their actions will have serious repercussions, including the destruction of their military infrastructure and leadership. However, the Houthis have historically endured heavy bombardments and continue to pose a threat, indicating that the U.S. military strategy may face significant challenges in achieving its goals effectively.

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