Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • US-Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Western Hemisphere
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Analysis
    • Research
    • Q&A
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Houthis / The Houthis may have checkmated Biden in Red Sea standoff
Houthis, Middle East, Yemen

January 19, 2024

The Houthis may have checkmated Biden in Red Sea standoff

“The Biden administration seems to be hoping that degrading Houthi capabilities will coerce them to stop, but that doesn’t appear to be working,” Daniel DePetris, a fellow at Defense Priorities, a foreign policy think tank based in Washington, told The Intercept. “Everyone is deterrable, and the Houthis are not lunatics. But the problem when dealing with nonstate actors is that it requires more force to get them to change their strategic calculus.”

He added, “The Saudis also thought that they could beat the Houthis militarily without having to address any of the political demands that they were making.”

 

Read at The Intercept

Featuring

Photo of Daniel DePetris

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Middle East

Q&AChina, Asia, Diplomacy, Iran

Beijing’s balancing act in the Iran war

By Lyle Goldstein

March 19, 2026

In the mediaUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Israel, Israel‑Iran, Middle East

Here’s how Trump can fix Jimmy Carter’s mistake on Iran and oil

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

March 18, 2026

Op-edUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Middle East

The war in Iran is beginning to grate on Donald Trump

By Daniel DePetris

March 17, 2026

Op-edUS‑Israel‑Iran, Europe and Eurasia, Iran, Middle East

The U.S. war on Iran could make Europe even more dependent on Washington

By Thomas P. Cavanna

March 17, 2026

Op-edUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Middle East, Nuclear weapons

Washington’s War in Iran Will Encourage Nuclear Proliferation

By Alex Madajian

March 17, 2026

In the mediaUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Israel, Israel‑Iran, Middle East

Why oil tankers remain hesitant to travel the Strait of Hormuz, according to experts

Featuring Eugene Gholz

March 17, 2026

Events on Houthis

See All Events
virtualMiddle East, Basing and force posture, Diplomacy, Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Military analysis, Syria

Trump in the Middle East: Impacts, implications, and alternatives

May 16, 2025
virtualHouthis, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Middle East, Yemen

Houthi conundrum: defend, degrade, or defer

March 28, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Research
  • Experts
  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2026 Defense Priorities Foundation. All rights reserved.