US must stop Iran’s terrorist proxies in the Red Sea

Last week, a Houthi missile hit Israeli territory for the first time since the Yemeni rebels began their terrorist campaign against Israel and its Western allies last November. Thankfully, no one was hurt — but the close call is a reminder that the Houthis pose a major threat to American interests in the Middle East and the Red Sea.

The Biden administration has taken a number of positive steps toward mitigating the crisis, but it has failed to make neutralizing the Houthis part of a broader strategy to protect the global order. As a result, these terrorists continue to use their geographically advantageous location on the Arabian Peninsula to wage war against the West. Allowing this problem to fester any further would be a total catastrophe.

Security in the Red Sea is vital to America’s supply chains — and, therefore, to the country’s consumers. Before these attacks began, more than 23,000 ships passed through the narrow Bab al Mandab Strait, many of which were oil tankers. Now, though, shipping companies are choosing to divert their routes to avoid the region as much as possible, leading to higher costs and insurance premiums. The longer routes are no guarantee of safety, either, as Somali pirates have been targeting diverted ships in recent months. 

All told, disruptions caused by the Houthis are leading to higher prices for gasoline and consumer goods here in the United States. Container freight rates have about doubled since the Houthi attacks began, and companies will pass these costs along to consumers. As families recover from the lingering effects of inflation and the pandemic, the last thing they need is to pay more for basic needs. 

Read more in the Washington Examiner.