The United States decided to attack Houthi military installations in Yemen to demonstrate its strength and influence. Orientalist Andrei Ontikov spoke about this.
In an interview with RTVI, he noted that the decision is related to the deterioration of the US position in the Middle East, both at the economic and military-political levels. The problem began after the escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, due to which it was not possible to reach an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The situation showed everyone in the region that the US cannot resolve this conflict.
The reason is not that Hamas is acting prudently, but in the behavior of the US ally, Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the expert emphasized. Now everyone doubts how reliable the US is as a hegemon. In addition, there has been a series of attacks on US bases located in Syria and Iraq. The United States Embassy in Baghdad was also attacked. The Iraqis are also demanding the withdrawal of American troops. In addition, the aggravation of the situation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and repeated attacks by the Houthis on sea vessels are aggravating the situation for the United States, Ontikov concluded.
For many years, the United States remained largely silent on these events, raising doubts about its status as a world leader with interests in the Middle East. For the first time in many years, Washington showed serious dissatisfaction. All this is connected not only with political and military interests, but also with the economic goals of the United States, the expert said. For example, the conflict in the Gaza Strip destroyed US plans to create a transport corridor from India to Europe through the Middle East, which weakened the US position and strengthened China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Attacks on the straits are also important from the point of view of transport companies, which wonder about the availability of alternative routes. Now many ships go to European countries not through the Middle East and the Suez Canal, but make a detour through Africa, which is much more expensive. Another alternative is the Chinese transport corridor. Attacks on the Houthis are also driven by UK trade interests. London is interested in the functioning of the Suez Canal, because insurance companies make money from this, the publication’s interlocutor said.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
