Trump Abandons Saudi Arabia to Face Houthis Alone, Says Mearsheimer

Background and Previous Campaign

Mearsheimer gave credence to reports by the New York Times that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had phoned Trump on multiple occasions in recent weeks seeking military support against the Houthis. According to the report, the president decided not to intervene.

Trump was reportedly close to authorizing strikes on the Houthis last weekend but reversed his decision at the last minute. Mearsheimer said "the last thing [Trump] wants to do is get into a fight with [the Houthis] to try to rescue Saudi Arabia," particularly given how badly America's previous attempt to bomb the group into submission went last year.

Less than two months into that campaign, Trump abruptly announced a ceasefire, declaring victory and saying the Houthis had promised not to attack US ships. "But in fact, the Houthis beat the United States. We did not defeat the Houthis," Mearsheimer said.

Iranian Warning to Arab Nations

Speaking to Al-Mayadeen on Saturday, Ibrahim Azizi, head of the National Security Committee in the Iranian Parliament, warned neighboring Arab nations against cooperating with the United States and allowing Washington to use their territory as a launchpad for attacks.

Azizi added that the US security umbrella in the Middle East has proven to be ineffective, reflecting Tehran's broader push to discourage regional states from aligning with American military strategy.

Current Status and What Comes Next

As of now, the United States has not authorized strikes on the Houthis, and no direct American military intervention has been confirmed. Saudi Arabia continues to face missile and drone attacks while Riyadh-backed government forces attempt to hold off the group's advances inside Yemen.

Whether Washington will reverse its position or maintain its current posture remains unclear, and further developments are awaited.