Red Sea

December 27, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel strikes Houthi targets after ballistic missile attacks on Israel

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a new round of airstrikes targeting the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on December 26. The strikes are the latest attempt by Israel to deter the Houthis from...

December 26, 2024 | |

‘Whatever Distance is Necessary’: IDF Strikes Sana’a International Airport in Retaliation for Houthi Attacks 

Israeli Air Force Strikes Houthi Targets, Including Sana’a International Airport: Israeli warplanes struck Houthi “terrorist targets” in Yemen on December 26, the fourth...

December 24, 2024 | |

‘As With Haniyeh, So Too the Houthis’: Israel Vows to Decapitate Iran-Backed Terrorist Group

Latest Developments Israel’s Defense Minister Claims Hamas Chief’s Assassination: In the first public acknowledgment of Israeli responsibility, Defense Minister Israel Katz on December 23 said...

December 24, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel and the US know that only sustained bombing will stamp out the Houthis’ threat

The Houthis now pose as the proverbial ‘last man standing’ in the Iranian axis

December 23, 2024 | |

Netanyahu: Israel Will Act Against Houthis Like It Did Against Hamas and Hezbollah 

Netanyahu Promises Strong Response Against Houthis: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel will strike hard against the Houthi rebels in Yemen after...

December 19, 2024 | |

‘On Behalf of the Entire International Community’: IDF Strikes Sana’a as Houthi Rebels in Yemen Target Tel Aviv

Israeli Warplanes Hit Yemeni Capital: The Israeli Air Force carried out “precise strikes” on December 19 against military targets in Houthi rebel-controlled areas of Yemen,...

December 19, 2024 | Janatan Sayeh, Behnam Ben Taleblu, Saeed Ghasseminejad

Too Little, Too Late, By Biden on Iran

President Biden pulled punches when enforcing oil sanctions against Iran. Forsaking the leverage inherited from President Trump’s “maximum pressure,” Biden opted for “maximum deference” from the get-go, and with clearly disastrous results. Not only is there no deal in place today constraining Iran’s nuclear program, but Tehran’s theocrats have used oil export revenues – an estimated at $144 billion of which was earned during Biden’s first three years – to underwrite the cycle violence currently engulfing the Middle East.

December 17, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Why are the Houthis attacking Israel – and can they be deterred?

The Houthis may think they can get away with anything without paying a price. The question is, what price is enough to make them stop?

December 9, 2024 | Richard Goldberg |

How to Bring Back Maximum Pressure on Iran

At the end of 2020, the Islamic Republic of Iran was down to just $4 billion in accessible foreign exchange reserves. Its terrorist mastermind, Qassem Solemani, and the godfather of its nuclear weapons...

December 4, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iran faces setbacks in Syria as proxies weaken, struggles to support Assad regime

Iran is clearly trying to shore up support for the Assad regime after the regime suffered setbacks at the hands of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an opposition group.

November 29, 2024 | Bradley Bowman, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery

Trump Can — and Should — Fully Fund Our Military

The Obama and Biden administrations failed to request from Congress sufficient resources for defense. Trump should not make the same mistake.

November 25, 2024 | |

‘Employment With High Salaries’: Russia Recruiting Foreign Fighters from Yemen

Yemeni Fighters Funneled to Russian Frontlines in Ukraine: Russia has reportedly recruited hundreds of Yemeni nationals to fight in its war against Ukraine using a company linked...

November 19, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

What do long-range missiles in the Ukraine-Russia war mean for Israel?

The Ukraine-Russia war has escalated with Ukraine's use of long-range missiles, but what does that mean for Israel and the wars it is fighting?

November 18, 2024 | |

EU, UK Impose New Sanctions on Iran Over Military Support for Russia, Regional Proxies

Restrictions Expanded Against Iranian Entities: The European Union and the United Kingdom announced on November 18 that new sanctions were being imposed on Iranian entities due to...

November 18, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

The Houthis are what happens when the int’l community appeases

Houthi rebels escalate maritime threats, reportedly sending direct warnings to shipping companies and potentially extorting transit fees up to $180M monthly.

November 14, 2024 | |

U.S. Forces Strike at Iranian Proxies in Syria in Response to Series of Attacks

U.S. Forces Respond to Attacks in Syria: U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted strikes against an Iranian proxy terrorist group in Syria on November 12. According to a CENTCOM...

October 30, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Between proxies and a new attack on Israel: Iran’s dilemma

Iran operates via proxies in several countries and territories, including Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Gaza Strip.

October 26, 2024 | |

Russia Provides Targeting Support to Houthi Attacks on Commercial Shipping

Latest Developments Houthi rebels in Yemen are receiving intelligence from Russia, assisting the Iran-backed terrorist group in targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, The Wall Street Journal...

October 25, 2024 | Mariam Wahba |

MBS Bets on Egypt’s Fragile Economy

For the first time since 2022, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) visited Cairo last week to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Their meeting, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s recently...

October 24, 2024 | |

Hamas Official Visiting Moscow Moots Hostage Release as ‘Gesture to Our Russian Friends’

Latest Developments Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk met with Russian officials in Moscow on October 24, telling Russian media that Hamas was willing to prioritize the release of two hostages...