MEI Outlines Expanded US Role to Counter Houthi Red Sea Strikes

The Middle East Institute’s (MEI) Defense and Security Program published a memorandum, addressed to US President Joseph R. Biden, recommending an expanded role for the United States in countering the threat posed to global shipping by the targeting of vessels in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi militia. 

The memo, “A Strategy for Countering the Houthi Threat at Sea,” comes in response to the over 30 strikes conducted by Yemen’s Houthi militia on cargo and other vessels transiting the Red Sea since mid-November. It is co-authored by five members of MEI’s Defense and Security Program, including program Director Bilal Y. Saab, Vice Admiral (ret.) Kevin Donegan, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Mick Mulroy, Lieutenant General (ret.) Sam Mundy, and General (ret.) Joseph L. Votel.

The authors call for a continuation of retaliatory strikes by the United States and United Kingdom against Houthi leadership and infrastructure, but argue this strategy is insufficient, and proceed to offer several additional recommendations for the US to protect shipping and counter Iran’s malign activities in the region.

“For the first time in four decades, a core US interest in the region on which successive American presidents have based US Middle East policy — freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce — is increasingly at risk,” said Bilal Saab.

“In our memo to President Biden, we propose a strategy to effectively and sustainably counter the Houthi threat at sea.”

Among the recommendations is the establishment of an interagency effort led by US Central Command (CENTCOM) to deny the Houthis the ability to target Red Sea vessels, including through efforts to interdict Iran’s smuggling of arms to the group as well as through continued strikes on Houthi infrastructure and leadership.

The memo calls on the Biden administration to allow the US 5th Fleet Commander to assert “collective self-defense” of US flagged, owned, crewed, or operated vessels, or ships requesting US protection while transiting the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden. Additionally, the authors call for increased funding for added unmanned surveillance vessels (USV) to patrol Red Sea waters. 

Though calling for an expanded US role, the recommendations also draw attention to international tools at the United States’ disposal, such as partnerships with European and Arab allies, as well as re-investment in the UN Verification Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) tasked with monitoring and facilitating commercial flows to Yemen.

Whom to blame for current economic turmoil of Iran? United States or ruling regime of Iran

Middle East Institute has scheduled a discussion on the energy sector of Iran and the title is “Iran's Under-Developed Energy Sector, Faltering Economy, and the Looming Climate Crisis” on June 08, 2023.

The opening lines are extremely anti Iran and its ruling regime, dominated by religious clerics. It says, “Iran’s combined oil and gas reserves are the largest of any country in the world. And yet the government has long failed to generate policies that would enable the country to benefit from its huge natural resources”.

A pertinent question is some of Iran’s oil and gas-exporting neighbors have invested much in preparing their economies for the post-hydrocarbon era. In this regard, how does Iran compare in regional and global contexts?

The reply is simply, the ruling clergy just can’t be held responsible for the present dismal state. On the contrary it may be said that Iran has survived over four decades of the US sanctions, equally supported by the European and even some of the Arab countries.

Soon after the Islamic revolution, Iraq attacked Iran and the war continued for about a decade. President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein was a US tout, but when he became redundant, the US attacked Iraq and ultimately he was hanged.

To topple Saddam, the United States raised a hoax call that Iraq was busy in manufacturing weapons of mass destruction (WMD), British Prime Minister toed this line to mobilize opinion to support attack on Iraq. Even after two decades Iraq is still inferno.

The best efforts were made by the United States and its allies to destroy oil and gas infrastructure of Iran and Iraq, to push the two largest oil exporting countries out of oil and gas business. The latest targets are Venezuela and Russia, two of the other large oil exporting countries.

The world must salute the brave Iranians for enduring more than 10 years long war and more than four decades of economic sanction.

To put the record straight, the world must commend Iran rather than maligning the rulers for the dismal economy of the country.

Abizaid elected Chairman MEI Board

The Middle East Institute (MEI) announced election of John P. Abizaid as chairman of its Board of Governors. The board voted unanimously in favor of his appointment at its semi-annual meeting held on May 10, 2023.

“I am honored to assume this role and I thank you all for your support and commitment to this Institute. You can expect a lot from me and you should demand a lot from me as we work with the entire MEI community to pursue our mission,” said Abizaid.

“The Middle East is a complex and often misunderstood region. MEI provides a global platform for knowledge and an opportunity for engagement and understanding that is essential to long-term stability. I will work with the board, scholars, and staff to sustain MEI and uphold our mission at a critical juncture in US-Middle East relations.”

At the meeting the board also expressed its deep appreciation to outgoing chairman, Richard A. Clarke, who served in the role for more than 10 years. During his tenure, Clarke oversaw a period of historic growth for the Institute, including the renovation and expansion of its Washington, D.C. headquarters, and the flourishing of its policy, arts, and educational programs. 

“We would not be where we are today without Dick’s exceptional leadership and bold vision. His chairmanship was essential to securing MEI’s position as a preeminent voice on Middle East policy and analysis,” said MEI President and CEO Paul Salem.

“We are thrilled to have a leader of Gen. Abizaid’s stature and experience take up this mantle. His passion for the Institute’s mission of promoting peace, prosperity, and partnership between the people of the United States and the region will be invaluable as we set our course for the years ahead.”

Gen. Abizaid is a retired U.S. Army four-star general, who most recently served as the US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2021. In his 34 years of active military service, he commanded units at every level, serving in Grenada, Lebanon, Kurdistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and served as the head of US Central Command from 2003 to 2007.

He has also served as the Distinguished Chair (Emeritus) of the Combating Terrorism Center at the US Military Academy at West Point and was the first Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.

Abizaid is a Lebanese American, born in northern California in 1951. He is a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, holds a master's degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University, has also studied at the University of Jordan in Amman, and has received Honorary Degrees from Dartmouth College and Norwich University.