**Trump Leaves Saudi Arabia to Face Houthis Alone, Says Mearsheimer**
In a recent interview with RT, political scientist John Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago expressed concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's apparent withdrawal of support for Saudi Arabia amid escalating tensions with Yemen's Houthi movement, officially known as Ansarullah. Mearsheimer characterized the situation as one where Saudi Arabia is left to confront "almost a full-blown war" on its own.
The hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have intensified in recent weeks after a period of relative calm. The Houthis have reportedly launched missile and drone strikes targeting Saudi territory, while forces aligned with the Riyadh-backed government are engaged in efforts to repel Houthi advances within Yemen.
A significant development occurred earlier this month when the Houthis took control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, positioning themselves around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This strategic waterway has become increasingly vital for Saudi oil exports, especially as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has diminished amid ongoing conflicts involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran.
In the interview, Mearsheimer criticized Saudi Arabia's decision to engage militarily with the Houthis, suggesting that this "foolish" choice has led the kingdom into a precarious situation. He emphasized the strength of the Houthi forces, stating, "the Houthis are a formidable fighting force, and the Saudis are not."
Mearsheimer also referenced media reports indicating that Trump had previously encouraged Saudi Arabia to target an airport in the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital, Sanaa, in mid-July. This attack aimed to prevent an Iranian aircraft carrying a Houthi delegation from landing and effectively ended a UN-brokered truce established in 2022, leading to the current escalation of hostilities.
According to Mearsheimer, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reached out to Trump multiple times in recent weeks, seeking military assistance against the Houthis. However, reports suggest that Trump opted not to intervene. In fact, he was reportedly on the verge of authorizing military strikes against the Houthis last weekend but ultimately decided against it.
Mearsheimer noted that Trump is hesitant to engage in a conflict to assist Saudi Arabia, particularly given the challenges the U.S. faced in its previous military efforts against the Houthis. He recalled that less than two months into a prior campaign, Trump had declared a ceasefire, claiming victory and stating that the Houthis had promised not to attack U.S. ships. Mearsheimer contended that this assertion was misleading, as the Houthis had effectively resisted U.S. military efforts.
In a related context, Ibrahim Azizi, head of the National Security Committee in the Iranian Parliament, warned neighboring Arab nations against cooperating with the U.S. and allowing American forces to use their territories for military actions. Azizi criticized the effectiveness of the U.S. security umbrella in the Middle East, suggesting that it has failed to provide the promised protection.
As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of Trump's decisions and the ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis remain a focal point of international attention. The dynamics of U.S. involvement in the region, particularly in relation to its key allies, will be closely monitored as tensions escalate.