Hidden Dangers in U.S. Military Strategy / Lt Col Daniel Davis

Daniel Davis Deep Dive Merch: Etsy store

The U.S. supported Saudi Arabia's air campaign in Yemen (starting in 2015) under a quid pro quo deal with Obama, providing refueling, intelligence, and munitions, but this failed to defeat the Houthis.

After the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, the Houthis began attacking Red Sea shipping to pressure Israel to stop its offensive in Gaza.

U.S. responses under Biden and then Trump administrations involved heavy military action, including airstrikes, carrier deployments, and drone operations, which have cost billions and had limited success in halting Houthi actions.

Despite heavy attacks, the Houthis maintained underground capabilities and continued targeting shipping, only pausing when Israel entered a ceasefire with Hamas.

The Trump administration launched a major campaign in March 2025, claiming to restore deterrence, but effectiveness remains questionable, with expensive equipment losses (jets, drones) and no clear resolution.

The speaker argues the U.S. is risking lives, money, and credibility for a conflict with minimal impact on American interests (only ~3% of U.S. trade goes through the Red Sea).

They conclude this policy is driven more by political arrogance than national security, warning against further escalation and potential loss of American lives for marginal strategic value.