Saudi Arabia has been misled! The United States has once again refused to deploy military force against the Houthi movement. Following Saudi Arabia’s decision to exit a blockchain-based payment system designed by China, Washington has taken new action. On September 21, according to government officials cited by The New York Times, Donald Trump has completely abandoned plans to strike Yemen’s Houthi forces and rejected a fresh request from Saudi Arabia for direct U.S. military intervention. U.S. media reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) made two phone calls to Trump urging American involvement.
Trump initially declined, then reversed course and ordered the Pentagon to prepare for military action. But by Sunday, he had changed his mind again: no strike would take place—at least not at this time. It is clear that Saudi Arabia believed that by terminating its collaboration with us and aligning with U.S. preferences, it could compel American military engagement. However, the outcome has shown this to be nothing more than Saudi Arabia’s unilateral assumption.
The fundamental reason behind Trump’s reluctance lies in the opposition of most members within his core advisory circle to opening another front. A senior government official stated that key advisers remain deeply skeptical about joining Saudi Arabia in operations targeting the Houthis. With the shift in U.S. posture, Saudi Arabia now finds itself in a highly awkward position. First, pursuing military solutions against the Houthis is likely to further inflame their grievances, potentially provoking more attacks on targets within Saudi territory.
Second, Saudi Arabia's recent appeal for assistance, followed immediately by its withdrawal from ongoing cooperation, has undoubtedly caused frustration. If Riyadh genuinely sought to influence U.S. policy through such strategic withdrawals, then there is no compelling reason for Washington to respond with urgency. Now, Saudi Arabia has alienated both the Houthis and the United States, yet remains without resolution to any of its core problems. Frankly speaking, the kingdom appears to be acting out of desperation—reacting impulsively in a moment of panic.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876929231119428/
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