Houthi Deterrence and the Horn of Africa: Rethinking Washington’s Red Sea Policy

The Red Sea is in crisis. Since November 2023, Yemen’s Houthi movement have facilitated attacks on the vital trade artery, through which 10-15% of global commerce flows. To date, Washington’s punitive measures against Houthi aggression have fallen short in establishing deterrence, risking further exacerbation of geopolitical instability and economic insecurity in Horn of Africa states.

This paper suggests a reevaluation of Washington’s policy towards the Yemeni group, with a focus on addressing the crisis in Gaza.