Houthi Rebels in Yemen Launch Ballistic Missile at Israel, Intensifying Regional Conflict
On Tuesday, Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran, launched a medium-range ballistic missile towards Israel. This necessitated the activation of an Israeli air defense system to intercept it, indicating that the conflict initiated by Hamas with a terrorist attack against Israel could rapidly escalate into a regional conflict. Robert Greenway, the architect of former President Donald Trump’s sanctions against Iran, stated in an interview with The Daily Signal on Wednesday that there is “zero chance” Iran was not involved in the Houthi missile strike.
Iran's Involvement in the Conflict
Greenway, director of The Heritage Foundation’s Center for National Defense, explained that Iran's involvement in Yemen is even more direct than its support for Hamas in Gaza. Israel reported that its fighter jets and the new Arrow missile defense system successfully intercepted two salvos aimed at the key Red Sea shipping port of Eilat. Earlier this month, analysts suspected Houthi involvement when the U.S. Navy intercepted missiles and drones over the Red Sea.
Houthis and the Yemeni Civil War
The Houthis have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, since 2014, the year the Yemeni civil war began. They claimed responsibility for three attacks on Israel in a military statement, without providing details on the timing of the operations. The Trump administration designated the Yemeni rebels as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2020, but the Biden administration rescinded this designation in February 2021. The Houthis declared that they would continue the attacks “until the Israeli aggression stops.”
Israel's Response to Hamas Attacks
This week, Israel launched a ground incursion into Gaza, the site from which Hamas terrorists attacked the Jewish state on Oct. 7, killing over 1,400 Israelis, including civilians and infants, and taking more than 200 hostages. Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas following the attack, which represents the deadliest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust. The Houthi attack diverts critical air defense assets as Israel faces threats from Iranian proxies in all four cardinal directions.
Regional Threats to Israel
Israel has faced attacks in the southwest from Hamas, in the north from Hezbollah, in the west from Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the West Bank (and in Gaza), and in the south from the Houthis. On Friday, a fighter jet intercepted a target over the Red Sea, likely a drone heading for Israel, shortly after a drone struck the Egyptian town of Taba, injuring six. The U.S. guided-missile Navy destroyer U.S.S. Carney intercepted four cruise missiles and 15 drones in the Red Sea on Oct. 19.
Proposed American Response to the Attacks
Greenway, who has consistently urged the U.S. to take action to prevent the Hamas-Israel war from spreading across the region, proposed a strategy for an American response to the attacks. Referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (Iran’s military intelligence arm outside of the Islamic republic), Greenway suggested, “Kill the IRGC QF commander in Yemen and arm the Saudis and Emiratis to clean it up.” Greenway has extensive experience in countering Iran. Under Trump, he led a team to plan and execute the most significant U.S. economic sanctions against Iran in history. He served as a principal architect of the Abraham Accords, working as deputy assistant to Trump and senior director of the National Security Council’s Middle East and North African Affairs Directorate. According to a Daily Signal analysis, Iran has received at least $71 billion more under President Joe Biden than it would have under Trump due to the relaxation of the sanctions Greenway helped orchestrate.
Conclusion: The Potential Impact of Regional Conflict on New Businesses
The escalating conflict in the Middle East, marked by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launching a missile attack on Israel, could have serious implications for new businesses. This situation signals a potential expansion of the conflict into a regional issue, which could disrupt global markets and create an unstable business environment.
New businesses, particularly those with international operations or supply chains, could face increased risks and uncertainties. These could range from disrupted logistics and increased costs to potential security risks and regulatory challenges.
Moreover, the shifting geopolitical landscape could also impact foreign policy and international relations, which could further affect global trade and investment. This could create additional challenges for new businesses looking to expand or operate internationally.
However, these challenges also underscore the importance of strategic planning and risk management for new businesses. By staying informed about global events and understanding their potential impacts, new businesses can better prepare and adapt to changing circumstances.
In conclusion, the escalating conflict in the Middle East serves as a stark reminder of the potential impacts of geopolitical events on the business environment. For new businesses, this highlights the need for strategic planning, risk management, and adaptability in the face of global uncertainties.
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