Commonwealth Policy Center

Houthi rebels in Yemen have disrupted global commerce by attacking merchant ships heading to the Suez Canal in the Middle East. With the support of Iran, the rebels have attacked ships with drone strikes that are costly to counter. In response, most ships are sailing around Africa, adding 2-3 weeks to their trips. What is happening off the coast of Yemen right now matters to all of us because it will deeply affect international trade. When supply chains are disrupted and commerce is limited, products become more expensive. Some of America’s allies have been hesitant to follow President Biden, who’s viewed as weak abroad. But sending a message to these terrorists—and Iran—is necessary for both global security and a healthy economy.