Trump-Era Strategy Unleashes Largest US Air Campaign Since ISIS

Paul Riverbank, 5/1/2025US launches largest air campaign since ISIS, targeting Houthi forces in Yemen's complex conflict.

The Red Sea Crisis: A New Chapter in American Military Engagement

The echoes of cruise missiles over Yemen's coastline signal more than just another military operation - they mark America's most extensive air campaign since the ISIS conflict. As someone who's covered multiple military engagements over two decades, I can't help but notice the striking parallels - and crucial differences.

Let's be clear about what's happening. For 47 straight days, U.S. forces have hammered Houthi positions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth didn't mince words Wednesday when he called out Iran, warning them about their "LETHAL support" to the Houthis. The message wasn't subtle: consequences are coming, at America's choosing.

I've seen my share of military escalations, but the incident with the USS Harry S. Truman raised eyebrows even among seasoned observers. Picture this - a $67 million F-18 fighter jet sliding into the Red Sea after the carrier performed emergency maneuvers to dodge a Houthi drone. Not exactly the kind of headline the Navy wants to wake up to.

The roots of this campaign stretch back to Trump's presidency, when he advocated for "overwhelming lethal force" against the rebel group. Trump's recent Truth Social post painted a vivid picture of Iran's involvement - weapons, money, intelligence, the works. Having covered the region extensively, I can say the former president's assessment isn't far off the mark.

But here's where it gets interesting. Despite hitting over 800 targets, the campaign's results are... complicated. The Houthis aren't exactly running for cover. They've adapted, using mountain hideouts and underground tunnels that remind me of tactics I saw during the Afghan conflict. Jon Alterman from CSIS put it well - there's no sign the Houthis are "desperate for a pause."

The strategic puzzle here fascinates me. The U.S. needs to protect vital shipping lanes - that's non-negotiable. But the Houthis have turned American intervention into a recruitment tool, playing the classic David versus Goliath card that resonates deeply in Yemen.

I've noticed the military's gotten more tight-lipped lately, especially after that Signal message slip-up revealed operational details. Smart move, but it makes our job as analysts trickier.

Here's what keeps military experts up at night - and I tend to agree: airstrikes alone probably won't cut it. Yemen's political landscape is a maze of tribal alliances, historical grievances, and regional power plays. I've seen enough conflicts to know that military solutions rarely solve political problems.

The coming weeks will test America's ability to thread a very fine needle - protecting maritime commerce without getting pulled deeper into Yemen's complex civil war. As someone who's watched similar scenarios unfold, I can tell you this: there are no easy answers, only hard choices ahead.

The Red Sea Crisis: A New Chapter in American Military EngagementThe echoes of cruise missiles over Yemen's coastline signal more than just another military operation - they mark America's most extensive air campaign since the ISIS conflict. As someone who's covered multiple military engagements over two decades, I can't help but notice the striking parallels - and crucial differences.Let's be clear about what's happening. For 47 straight days, U.S. forces have hammered Houthi positions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth didn't mince words Wednesday when he called out Iran, warning them about their "LETHAL support" to the Houthis. The message wasn't subtle: consequences are coming, at America's choosing.I've seen my share of military escalations, but the incident with the USS Harry S. Truman raised eyebrows even among seasoned observers. Picture this - a $67 million F-18 fighter jet sliding into the Red Sea after the carrier performed emergency maneuvers to dodge a Houthi drone. Not exactly the kind of headline the Navy wants to wake up to.The roots of this campaign stretch back to Trump's presidency, when he advocated for "overwhelming lethal force" against the rebel group. Trump's recent Truth Social post painted a vivid picture of Iran's involvement - weapons, money, intelligence, the works. Having covered the region extensively, I can say the former president's assessment isn't far off the mark.But here's where it gets interesting. Despite hitting over 800 targets, the campaign's results are... complicated. The Houthis aren't exactly running for cover. They've adapted, using mountain hideouts and underground tunnels that remind me of tactics I saw during the Afghan conflict. Jon Alterman from CSIS put it well - there's no sign the Houthis are "desperate for a pause."The strategic puzzle here fascinates me. The U.S. needs to protect vital shipping lanes - that's non-negotiable. But the Houthis have turned American intervention into a recruitment tool, playing the classic David versus Goliath card that resonates deeply in Yemen.I've noticed the military's gotten more tight-lipped lately, especially after that Signal message slip-up revealed operational details. Smart move, but it makes our job as analysts trickier.Here's what keeps military experts up at night - and I tend to agree: airstrikes alone probably won't cut it. Yemen's political landscape is a maze of tribal alliances, historical grievances, and regional power plays. I've seen enough conflicts to know that military solutions rarely solve political problems.The coming weeks will test America's ability to thread a very fine needle - protecting maritime commerce without getting pulled deeper into Yemen's complex civil war. As someone who's watched similar scenarios unfold, I can tell you this: there are no easy answers, only hard choices ahead.