Experts react: Trump just ordered major strikes against the Houthis. What does this mean for Yemen, Iran, and beyond?
“We will use overwhelming lethal force.” That’s how US President Donald Trump described a campaign of airstrikes he launched Saturday in Yemen against the Houthis. The Iran-backed militia has been disrupting international shipping in the Red Sea since October 2023, and has continued to operate despite previous rounds of US and allied airstrikes. How exactly is the second Trump administration executing its largest military campaign yet? What will the impact be on the region? And what does this signal about Trump’s approach to Iran? Our experts responded in force with the answers.Click to jump to an expert analysis:Daniel E. Mouton: The US will now need to ramp up diplomacy and other resourcesEmily Milliken: Expect Houthi retaliation against US targets in the regionDanny Citrinowicz: An important change in strategy for coping with the HouthisOsamah Al Rawhani: The bombings risk prolonging Yemenis’ suffering—which the Houthis can exploit to rally supportAlex Plitsas: Saturday’s airstrikes...