Trump faces mounting pressure to support Saudi campaign against Houthis
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Experts say political, strategic and financial factors may push President Donald Trump to intervene in Saudi Arabia's conflict with Yemen's Houthi rebels before the upcoming midterm elections.
President Donald Trump has so far declined Saudi Arabia's request for direct U.S. military action against the Houthi movement, which has been targeting the kingdom's oil and tourism sectors. Analysts note that the United States is already stretched by ongoing operations in the region, including a naval blockade of Iran and escort missions through the Strait of Hormuz, and that launching another front could be costly ahead of the midterm elections.
Annelle Sheline, a research fellow at the Quincy Institute's Middle East program, said the administration's reluctance stems partly from recent Saudi actions that strained regional alliances. > "Part of why we've seen the Trump administration not give in to Mohammed bin Salman's request to engage directly in attacking Ansar Allah inside Yemen is because the Saudis kicked the Emiratis out of Yemen last January," Sheline told the reporter. She added that the United States' close ties with the United Arab Emirates and Israel create a perception that Saudi Arabia must bear the consequences of its own decisions.
Sheline also highlighted potential financial pressures, noting that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously pledged large investments in the United States, including a reported $600 billion pledge and a $142 billion arms deal. > "Just given how we know things work in Washington, there are obviously many pressures from the U.S. defense industry, from the fact that Mohammed bin Salman has personally enriched Trump and his family, including Jared Kushner's various expensive endeavors," she said, referencing an ongoing congressional investigation into those ties.
Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute agreed that a U.S. shift toward defending Saudi interests is plausible, but suggested Trump may prefer to act after the midterms unless the conflict escalates further. > "I think Trump's preference is for it to happen afterwards. But it may not be under his control if he sees further escalation by Iran or the Houthis," he said.
When asked directly about possible involvement, President Trump responded, > "We're gonna look at it … We'll make a decision. We move very quickly."