US-Nigeria Relations Hit a New Low

 The International Crisis Group published on 7 November 2025 an analysis titled "Why Is President Trump Threatening a Humanitarian Intervention in Nigeria?" by Nnamdi Obasi, the Crisis Group's senior adviser for Nigeria.  

The author reviews the background of President Trump's threat to engage militarily in Nigeria to protect Christians and describes the current situation in the country.  He points out that the US-Nigerian rift has brought bilateral ties to their lowest point since the 1970s, when the two countries were at odds on how to end apartheid in South Africa.

An Assessment of US Airstrikes on Houthi Rebels in Yemen

 The CTC Sentinel published in June 2025 an analysis titled "Feature Commentary: An Assessment of Operation Rough Rider" by Gregory Johnsen, an expert on Yemen.  

The United States carried out more than 1,100 airstrikes over 52 days this past spring against Houthi rebels in Yemen.  This article provides an assessment of that campaign known as Operation Rough Rider.  The US intelligence community reportedly concluded that the airstrikes caused "some degradation" but the Houthis were in a position to easily reconstitute, regroup, and rebound.  The Red Sea crisis is far from over.  

Why Trump Declared Victory and Ended Campaign Against Houthis

 The New York Times published on 12 May 2025 an article titled "Why Trump Suddenly Declared Victory Over the Houthi Militia" by Helene Cooper, Greg Jaffe, Jonathan Swan, Eric Schmitt, and Maggie Haberman.

The Trump administration, following an internal debate, concluded that after 30 days of extensive airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen, it was just another expensive but inconclusive American military engagement in the region.  The Houthis shot down 7 MQ-9 Reaper drones, two $67 million aircraft fell off an aircraft carrier, and the US burned through in one month about $1 billion worth of weapons and munitions that were becoming in short supply.  

Although the operation disrupted and diminished Houthi capacity, it did not eliminate it or show signs of being able to do so.  President Trump decided to declare victory, negotiate a ceasefire, and end the airstrikes.  

How the Houthis Outlasted America

 Foreign Affairs published on 9 May 2025 an article titled "How the Houthis Outlasted America" by April Longley Alley, previously at the US Institute of Peace.

President Trump announced on 6 May that the US would end its airstrikes, which totaled more than 1,000, on Houthi targets in Yemen.  The situation in the Red Sea today is essentially the same as it was before the administration's round of US airstrikes on the Houthis, although they are low on munitions and their leadership has been temporarily disrupted.  

Trump said the Houthis "capitulated," but they retain their hold on power and called the ceasefire a "victory for Yemen."  Although the US campaign put the Houthis under tremendous pressure, they were far from deterred, much less defeated, at the time of the ceasefire.  

Bombing the Houthis with Advanced Weapons May Allow Them to Fall in Wrong Hands

 Business Insider published on 25 April 2025 an article titled "It Looks Like a StormBreaker May Have Landed Intact in Yemen, Raising the Risk the US Bomb Could Fall into the Wrong Hands" by Jake Epstein.  

US military aircraft appear to be using advanced "GBU-53/B StormBreaker" precision glide bombs in combat against the Houthis in Yemen.  An image has appeared in social media of a fully intact StormBreaker half buried in the sand in Yemen.  The concern is that it could fall in the wrong hands even though it is located in an area of Yemen not controlled by the Houthis.  

US Airstrikes on the Houthis in Yemen: How Does It End?

 Vox published on 24 April 2025 a commentary titled "The US Has Quietly Gotten into Another War in the Middle East" by Joshua Keating.

In the current campaign against the Houthis in Yemen, there have been at least 250 US airstrikes.  The Trump administration says it is satisfied with the results so far.  On the other hand, there is a widespread belief among regional analysts that airstrikes alone will not defeat the Houthis.  While it is too early to declare the United States has entered a quagmire, it is also unclear how this US engagement ends.  

Issues for US in War on Houthis

 The Congressional Research Service posted on 17 April 2025 a policy brief titled "Yemen: Conflict, Red Sea Attacks, and U.S. Policy" by Christoper M. Blanchard. 

This paper provides a nonpartisan summary of developments concerning Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, the US response, and current US policy.   

Cost of War against the Houthis Is Rising

 The Associated Press published on 25 April 2025 an article titled "Houthi Rebels Have Shot Down 7 US Reaper Drones Worth $200 Million in Recent Weeks."

Houthi rebels in Yemen have shot down seven US Reaper drones in less than six weeks, a loss of aircraft worth more than $200 million at about $30 million each.  US Central Command reported that the United States has struck more than 800 Houthi targets.

Where Is the War against the Houthis Leading?

 The New York Times published on 24 April 2025 a commentary titled "A Beleaguered Hegseth Wanders into His Forever War" by W.J. Hennigan.

The cost of the US military operation against the Houthis in Yemen is expected to reach $2 billion in May.  The Houthis have shot down 6 $30 million MQ-9 Reaper drones and continue to resist.  The author argues that the US will soon confront the same no-win decision that bedeviled Trump's predecessors in the Middle East: retreat or escalate.  

Bombing the Houthi in Yemen Won't Work

 The Atlantic published on 8 April 2025 an article titled "Bombing the Houthis Won't Work" by Robert F. Worth.  

The article concludes that the Trump administration's airstrikes, dubbed Operation Rough Rider by Pete Hegseth, against Houthi rebels in Yemen are likely to backfire badly if the administration does not change course.  Air power alone rarely wins wars, and the Houthis inhabit a remote, mountainous hinterland where much of their weaponry is probably safe from harm.  To destroy this weaponry would require a ground operation, which apparently is not part of the US war plan.  

US Strikes Islamic State in Northern Somalia

 The Associated Press published on 1 February 2025 an article titled "US Military Conducts Airstrikes against Islamic State Operatives in Somalia" by Tara Copp, Aamer Madhani, and Omar Faruk.  

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes on 1 February against Islamic State operatives in the Puntland region of northern Somalia.  No details have been released on the results of the strikes.