The Houthis don’t need better missiles. They have Western hesitation

Published September 22, 2026 7:00am ET



The Houthis may be discovering something more valuable than another missile or drone: hesitation.

Is the current combination of U.S. restraint, an untested Saudi-Turkish-Pakistani defense pact, and delayed European military involvement leading the Houthis to believe they can keep escalating without paying a sufficiently high price?

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.