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3. US Raids on the Houthis: A Militia Seeking a Crushing Blow

There are times when one must confront reality and acknowledge the truth, however harsh it may be. In certain parts of the MENA region and the Gulf, specific politico-sociological factions — shaped by a distinct mindset — remain entrenched in rigid denial. The well-known “ostrich policy,” in other words. This is particularly evident in the feverish reactions that characterize the so-called “obstructionist” Iranian camp.

The tragic developments that continue to destabilize the broader Middle East — including Yemen — offer a textbook illustration of this dynamic. Over the past 48 hours, US airpower has systematically decimated the Houthis’ nerve centers, ammunition depots, command facilities, economic infrastructure and military fortifications in Yemen, delivering a swift and overwhelming demonstration of its immense firepower.

The leaders of the Iran-backed Yemeni militia have repeatedly witnessed, over the past several months, the impact of advanced technology deployed by American, British and Israeli bombers. Yet despite the relentless demonstration of Western firepower, attacks on oil tankers and commercial vessels in the Red Sea have continued — punctuated by threats and combative rhetoric that, notably, showed no sign of moderation in light of the sweeping geopolitical shifts brought about by Hezbollah’s resounding defeat at the hands of Israel and the equally dramatic downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

A few days before President Donald Trump ordered this weekend’s intense raids on no fewer than six regions of Yemen, the Houthi leadership brazenly declared the resumption of missile attacks on maritime traffic in the Red Sea. The announcement recalls a well-known Lebanese saying: “When someone goes looking for trouble, they shouldn’t be surprised when they find it.” The response was swift — American bombers delivered a punishing blow, with neither restraint nor half-measures.

This disconnection from reality in our region is not limited to the Houthis. It is equally apparent among all Iranian-backed proxies, with Hezbollah at the forefront. The Lebanese militia, blindly subordinated to the regime of Tehran’s mullahs, has repeatedly provided a striking demonstration of how easily a humiliating defeat can be recast as a "divine victory." It has shown an unwavering refusal to confront the truth, remaining intellectually, and even culturally, incapable of acknowledging its weaknesses, setbacks, structural dysfunction and the military disaster that follows.

Like father, like son… This strategy of irrationality and complete denial finds its roots in the “father” figure, the geopolitical godfather who, in effect, dictates the political and militia behavior of his proxies in the region. The source of this influence lies with the Pasdaran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, and, more broadly, with the Iranian leadership — or at least a faction of it. Many senior American officials have pointed out, unequivocally, following the recent all-out attacks on the Houthis, that the weekend raids serve as a clear warning to Iran, urging the Islamic Republic to “immediately” cease its support for the Yemeni militia. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cynically stated, “Washington has no right to dictate our foreign policy!”

The head of diplomacy for the Islamic Republic notably avoided specifying exactly which "right" the regime he represents repeatedly claims to have in imposing actions on Iranian proxies — especially Hezbollah in this case — that align with the geostrategic interests set by the Iranian Supreme Leader...

Upon closer examination of these attitudes of denial and the persistent refusal to confront reality, it becomes evident that this political blindness cannot be attributed solely to psychological factors or a mere tactic to escalate tensions for future negotiations with the adversary. Instead, it reflects, particularly within the most radical (and active) factions, a deeply ingrained ideological stance, further fueled by archaic theocratic convictions. Such an ideological approach confines individuals to a narrow-minded worldview, ultimately leading them to believe that, driven by divine guidance, they must — and can — engage in a relentless struggle against the Western world and its universal values.

This ideological constraint cannot be dismantled or overcome through complacency, "dialogue," compromises or half-hearted measures but through firm and decisive stances. President Joseph Aoun recently stated before an Iranian official delegation, "Lebanon is tired of the wars of others on its territory." A polite and diplomatic way of saying, as if addressing reckless, entitled and disruptive children, "Enough of playing war games. We have far more important and constructive matters to attend to..."