PNN – Examining the reasons why Trump has not entered into a direct war with Yemen, Atwan stated that the US betrayal of the Arabs is a recurring scenario.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; Abdul Bari Atwan—editor-in-chief of the pan-Arab online newspaper Rai al-Youm and a prominent Palestinian analyst—dedicated the publication’s latest editorial to developments regarding the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. He wrote that he was not surprised by US President Donald Trump’s decision to renege on the promises he had made to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—specifically regarding the latter’s request for direct US intervention in Yemen and the launching of heavy strikes against the Ansarullah movement in retaliation for its attacks on Aramco oil facilities and refineries, as well as other vital Saudi infrastructure in the major cities of Jizan, Najran, Khamis Mushait, and Abha.
Trump’s Recurring Cycle of Threats and Retreats
Pointing to the heroic operations of Yemeni fighters—including the downing of an F-15 fighter jet and missile strikes on the Saudi capital, Riyadh—Atwan emphasized that a few days ago, NBC News, citing interviews with US military officials at the Pentagon, reported that Trump had ordered US Central Command (CENTCOM) to prepare a military plan for intervention in Yemen, involving the bombing of strategic sites in Sana’a, Hodeidah, and Saada.
The Palestinian writer added: CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper carried out these orders and presented a dossier to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegset detailing the plans to be executed in Yemen in response to Trump’s request, as well as the timing of the strikes and the specific ships and aircraft carriers to be deployed.
The article goes on to state that Trump, true to form, backed down from carrying out this threat; he claimed to be in contact with Ansarallah and to have secured a pledge from them not to target U.S. warships. However, the reality is quite different: the ceasefire between the U.S. and Ansarallah was reached only after the Yemenis had inflicted mounting damage on U.S. aircraft carriers and warships while enforcing a naval blockade against the Zionist regime in support of the Gaza Strip.
The editor-in-chief of the Rai al-Youm newspaper stated that the missiles of the Yemeni armed forces astonished the Americans at the time with their precision and power, and on April 30, 2005, damaged two aircraft carriers—the USS Harry S. Truman and the USS Carl Vinson—in the Red Sea.
7 Reasons Why Americans Fear Entering a Direct War with Yemen
Abdel Bari Atwan noted that the real reasons behind Trump backing down from attacks on Ansarullah can be summarized as follows:
– First: There is significant disagreement among US military officials regarding direct intervention in Yemen, with opponents far outnumbering proponents; they are strongly opposed to opening a new front in the region amidst escalating tensions, given the US failure to subdue Iran and Washington’s inability to control the Strait of Hormuz.
-Second: The severe depletion of U.S. weapons stockpiles—particularly interceptor missiles—represents a significant weakness for the country’s military. Opening a new front in the Red Sea under these circumstances could lead to catastrophic consequences.
-Third: Yemen’s Ansarallah movement possesses highly advanced anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, and intelligence reports indicate that the Yemenis also hold sophisticated, covert weaponry that could catch U.S. military leadership off guard.
-Fourth: The US violation of the ceasefire with Yemen grants Ansarullah the authorization to target all US interests in the region and resume missile strikes against vital targets deep within occupied Palestine, such as Haifa, Jaffa, and Eilat.
-Fifth: Any US attack on Sana’a, Hodeidah, or other Yemeni cities would jeopardize navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, potentially leading to its complete closure and the creation of a global economic bottleneck—following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran.
– Sixth: It is quite possible that the US military leadership in Washington seeks to rein in Trump and his costly recklessness—and prevent being dragged into a new war—given that the defeat of Trump and his Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections (just 50 days away) and the loss of their congressional majority appear all but certain.
– Seventh: The US administration is now inclined to acknowledge—at least covertly—its failure in the region, to withdraw completely, and to end its military presence (and bases) there.
Trump’s Betrayal of His Arab Allies Is a Routine and Recurring Scenario
The article continues: Trump’s betrayal of his Arab allies—particularly Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf states—has become a routine and defining characteristic of his policies. To him, these nations are merely convenient financial hubs to be exploited for the sake of rescuing the U.S. economy and alleviating a debt burden that has surpassed forty trillion dollars.
Atwan stated: Trump is certainly unwilling to sacrifice even a single American soldier to defend these countries; his ultimate goal is to gain total control over their oil—much like the approach he took regarding Venezuela.
This Palestinian writer emphasized that the United States has so far waged three wars in the region: the first in Afghanistan, the second in Iraq, and the third against Iran. The first two wars alone cost the U.S. Treasury eight trillion dollars; over 15,000 soldiers were killed, and another 1.25 million sustained complex injuries.
The article concludes by stressing that only God knows the military, financial, and political cost the recent U.S. war against Iran will exact on the American people. Early indications all point to a costly U.S. failure on all fronts, and time will reveal the full picture.