Prof. Kobi Michael: The Houthi’s military capability has been damaged but not yet eliminated. More time and effort—complementary to the military effort—will be required to bring about their disintegration from most of their capabilities in a more significant way.
The American effort must be assisted by social-political efforts within Yemen itself.
These efforts should be aimed at weakening and fragmenting the Houthis and their regime in northern Yemen, he said, “to assist the government of southern Yemen in cooperation with tribes rival to the Houthi tribes in northern Yemen to regain effective control of the area, alongside the military effort.”
It does not exist in the kinetic context. it does exist in the intelligence context and perhaps in assisting thought and consultations in the political context. The U.S. coordinates and updates, but acts quite independently and very much prefers that there be no Israeli involvement, which can only complicate matters.
Published in JNS, April 14, 2025.
