Houthi Red Sea strikes kill first sailors, as ballistic missile threat proliferates
The range showed by Houthi missiles holds US bases at risk, and both China and Russia are watching closely to see what happens, experts say.
Why the European Union and United States are leading ‘parallel’ security operations in the Red Sea
The EU opted to start its own maritime security force in the Red Sea, despite a months-long established American-led effort. Analysts see evidence of fissures between Western partners.
How to counter the Houthi threat at sea
In a new op-ed, Bilal Y. Saab and Kevin Donegan call for a "comprehensive and fully-resourced interdiction regime at sea" to stop Iran's ability to supply the Houthis with weapons.
The deterrence problem: America took its eye off Iran with Indo-Pacific pivot, ex-CENTCOM chief says
As the US and Israel contend with multiple Iranian proxy groups in the Middle East, Joseph Votel told Breaking Defense the US must “hold [Iran] accountable.”
Biden acknowledges airstrikes haven’t stopped Houthis, says more to come
"Well, when you say 'working,' are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they going to continue? Yes," Biden told reporters.
Navy says it nabbed ‘lethal’ Iranian missile components heading to Houthis, 2 SEALs missing
"Seized items include propulsion, guidance, and warheads for Houthi medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), as well as air defense associated components. Initial analysis indicates these same weapons have been employed by the Houthis to threaten and attack innocent mariners on international merchant ships transiting in the Red Sea," according to a CENTCOM statement.
Strikes in Yemen may be first for US, UK but not designed to escalate conflict: Analysts
Bryden Spurling, senior research leader for defence and security at RAND, said that there "was clearly reluctance [on the part of Washington and London] to strike the Houthis despite the threat they pose to one of the world’s most important waterways."
‘Significant action’: US, with UK, strikes ‘a number of’ Houthi targets in Yemen
"These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical commercial routes," President Joe Biden said.
Navy to seek industry help on countering ‘cross-domain’ drone attacks
US Navy warships in the Red Sea have been fending off numerous aerial drones since arriving on station last year.
To deter Houthi strikes in Red Sea, US must turn from defense to offense
Two senior commanders of US naval forces in the Middle East as well as an expert from JINSA argue the US must hit Houthi targets in Yemen to deter that group and other Iran-backed forces from widening the current conflict.
Israel sends new, advanced Sa’ar 6 warship to Red Sea
The ship enters a hostile area where drones and missiles fired by the Houthi group in Yemen have targeted commercial vessels and southern Israeli city.
Analysis: Houthi targeting of Israel suggests new, longer-range missile in play
In a technical analysis, Ralph Savelsberg suggests the armed Yemeni group is likely firing a variant of an Iranian missile toward far off targets.
As US Navy bats down Red Sea ‘threats,’ analysts see years-old security problem
“The Houthi disruptive capability… is not a new phenomenon,” one expert told Breaking Defense.
In first, Israel’s Arrow 2 air defense system intercepts ballistic missile near Red Sea: IDF
The Arrow 2 system is the highest layer of Jerusalem's air defense array, which also includes the Iron Dome.
CJCS Dunford Talks Turkey, Iran, Afghan Troop Numbers & Daesh
Breaking Defense contributor James Kitfield spoke with Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during Dunford’s swing through Japan, Singapore, Australia, Wake Island, and Hawaii. BD readers know that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis promised Sen. John McCain yesterday that America would get a new Afghan strategy by mid-July. In this second part of Kitfield’s interview, […]