Biden Admin Faces Criticism Over Houthi Policies as Trump Intensifies Military Strikes

Former President Biden’s approach to the Houthis, an Iran-backed terrorist group, is under sharp scrutiny as experts claim it emboldened them to disrupt global commerce and destabilize the Middle East. Saudi and American analysts are calling his February 2021 decision to cease offensive support for the Saudi-led coalition and remove the Houthis from the terrorist list a strategic misstep.

In a speech early in his presidency, Biden announced his support for a U.N.-led peace initiative in Yemen, aiming for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution. However, his administration’s removal of the Houthis from the terrorist list, citing Yemen's humanitarian crisis, sparked backlash. Critics, like Saudi geopolitical analyst Salman Al-Ansari, argue that this move strengthened Houthi aggression, leading to chaos in Yemen, regional instability, and attacks on global shipping.

Al-Ansari lauded former President Trump’s recent military strikes against the Houthis, describing them as a long-overdue correction. "Strength, not appeasement, is the only language they understand," Al-Ansari emphasized, warning of severe economic and security risks if strategic trade routes like the Red Sea and the Strait of Mandab remain unsecured.

The Houthis’ slogan—"Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse on the Jews, Victory to Islam"—has only intensified fears about their intentions. Critics have highlighted Biden's initial foreign policy decisions, such as de-listing the Houthis as terrorists and pressing Saudi Arabia to scale back its military campaign, as fueling the group's militancy.

Jonathan Schanzer, from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said Biden’s policies politicized the Houthi issue, prompting Trump to respond more aggressively. Schanzer noted that the strikes signal renewed U.S. commitment to Saudi Arabia’s regional security, freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and the dismantling of Iran’s "ring of fire" strategy.

The Houthis have also targeted U.S. ally Israel amidst its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, further complicating the geopolitical equation. Meanwhile, Biden authorized strikes against the Houthis in January 2024 after their unprecedented attacks on international maritime vessels in the Red Sea, including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles. A week later, his administration reversed course, re-listing the Houthis as global terrorists in an effort to curb their aggression.

Saudi Arabia, having liberated 80% of Yemeni territory, now prioritizes diplomacy over military escalation. However, analysts suggest that without firm U.S. action, the remaining Houthi stronghold will continue to pose threats to international security and trade.

Fox News Digital reached out to President Biden’s spokesperson for comment on criticism of his administration’s handling of the Houthi threat.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.