Staff Reports
In a surprising twist of events, the Biden administration has opted for a less effective approach in dealing with the Houthis, a group known for causing chaos and terror in the Middle East. After former President Trump’s successful designation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in 2020, the Biden administration has decided to take a step back by designating them as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” (SDGT). This move is a clear reversal of the Trump administration’s policy and a validation of the effective measures put in place by the previous administration.
‘Huge Paper Tiger’: Joe Biden Opts for Weaker Designation of Houthis as Terrorist Group https://t.co/7Zumxr9auj via @BreitbartNews
— Kristina Wong 🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) January 17, 2024
The decision to rescind the FTO designation, shortly after Biden took office, was based on the flawed argument that it was harming Yemeni civilians and hindering peace negotiations. In reality, the FTO designation was instrumental in cutting off the Iran-backed group from the international banking system, effectively crippling their ability to finance their terrorist activities.
Critics have slammed the Biden administration’s move, with former Trump administration Senior National Security Official Kash Patel calling the SDGT designation a “huge paper tiger.” He highlighted that the SDGT designation lacks the teeth to impose crippling sanctions and does not provide the necessary tools for effective intelligence collection and counter-terrorism operations.
Patel also criticized the 30-day period before the SDGT designation takes effect, highlighting the potential for the Houthis to continue their terrorist activities without facing any immediate consequences. This delay in implementation essentially gives the terrorists a free pass to carry out attacks with impunity.
The Biden administration’s decision comes at a time when the Houthis have been relentless in their attacks, targeting U.S. military and international commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These reckless actions have resulted in shipping companies having to seek longer and costlier alternative routes, leading to increased insurance and shipping expenses.
The attacks have been rationalized by the Houthis as a response to Israel’s military offensive against Hamas, using missiles and drones to cause mayhem in the region. The administration’s weak response to these attacks raises serious concerns about its commitment to protecting U.S. interests and the safety of American personnel and assets in the volatile region.
The Biden administration’s defense of the SDGT designation fails to address the inherent weaknesses of this approach. Their claims of minimizing unintended consequences and ensuring robust humanitarian carveouts appear to be nothing more than a feeble attempt to cover up the inadequacies of their decision. The 30-day grace period and the conditional reconsideration of the designation should the attacks cease, only embolden the terrorists and undermine any real efforts to hold them accountable.
In essence, the Biden administration’s handling of the Houthis is akin to bringing a butter knife to a gunfight. The lack of a strong and decisive approach in dealing with these terrorists sends a dangerous message and jeopardizes the safety and security of the region.
