The last thing President Joe Biden needs right now is a full-on shooting war with the Houthi rebels in control of a third of Yemen. But with the battle-hardened forces spoiling for a fight with Israel and the United States, Biden felt forced to respond with military force.

Following the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas terrorists in Israel, and Israel’s subsequent campaign to eliminate Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Biden administration has stated repeatedly its overall goal is to avoid a wider war in the region and has tempered its response accordingly.