Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia expose US response limitations

News24 US analyst Michael Ware says the US is not in a strong position to strike the Houthis on Saudi Arabia’s behalf after repeated attacks by the Iran-backed group. “Whether it’s his allies, alleged ally Ukraine, or whether it’s his real ally Saudi Arabia, President Trump is having problems showing up for them, for sticking up for them, for literally defending them,” Mr Ware told News24. ​“Right now the Americans aren’t in a great position globally or regionally to strike back on Saudi Arabia’s behalf or in conjunction with them. ​“Stockpiles are depleted, there are questions about opening a new front, the popularity back here...so in many ways President Trump has very limited options. ​“It’s akin to Iran: go big or go home, and when it comes to the Houthis, as strategically vital as they are, as strategically significant symbolically as the strikes on the main international airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh are, President Trump really can’t go and back up his friends right now.”