Watch Webinar – Countering the Houthi Threat
Click here to read a transcript.
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have continued to escalate their assault on Israel, launching at least 26 missiles and drones in September, one of which struck Ramon Airport. Since March, the Houthis have targeted Israel with over 79 ballistic missiles and more than 71 drones. Israel has intermittently struck Houthi infrastructure and leadership, including eliminating the Houthi prime minister on August 28. However, the Houthis have retained both the ability and will to attack Israel, prompting Israeli aircraft to strike even deeper into Yemeni territory on September 10—their longest flight since the war began.
The Houthis have not confined their aggression to Israel. Inside Yemen, the terror group brazenly kidnapped 19 United Nations personnel on August 31 and continue holding them hostage. Despite the terror group’s pledge in May to stop doing so following a massive seven-week-long U.S. airstrike campaign, the Houthis have resumed attacking commercial ships—with Chinese, Russian, and Iranian assistance—in the Red Sea. This unprecedented assault on global commerce imposes costs on consumers and undermines the centuries-long U.S. strategic objective of maritime freedom of navigation.
JINSA hosted a webinar assessing the Houthi threat from both U.S. and Israeli military perspectives. The discussion featured LtGen Sam Mundy, USMC (ret.), former Commander of U.S. Marine Forces Central Command and a 2022 JINSA Generals and Admirals Program Participant, VADM Mark Fox, USN (ret.), former Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command and a 2018 JINSA Generals and Admirals Program Participant, and JINSA Distinguished Fellow IDF MG (ret.) Amikam Norkin, former Commander of the Israeli Air Force.
The conversation was moderated by JINSA’s Associate Director of Foreign Policy, Ari Cicurel.
IDF MG (ret.) Amikam Norkin
IDF MG (ret.) Amikam Norkin joined JINSA as a Distinguished Fellow in February 2023. MG Norkin is the Former Commander of the Israeli Air Force and a former member of the Israel Defense Forces General Staff. As the IAF’s Commander, he was responsible for all of the IDF’s aviation operations, including all air and space defense and offense activities, turning the IAF to the IDF’s leading strategic arm and leading this critical organization in a rapidly changing environment with various multiple challenges.
LtGen Sam Mundy, USMC (ret.)
LtGen Sam Mundy retired after 38 years in the Marine Corps and currently serves as President of Once a Marine LLC. Before retiring Sam served as the Commander, Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT), responsible for the employment of Marines in the Middle East. While at MARCENT he oversaw the training and certification of USCENTCOM’s Standing Joint Task Force, developed and marketed the concept for a regional rapid response force, and oversaw the re-basing of Marines from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia.
VADM Mark Fox, USN (ret.)
VADM Mark I. Fox, USN (ret.) is a member of JINSA’s Eastern Mediterranean and Abraham Accords policy projects and a 2018 JINSA Generals and Admirals Program participant. VADM Fox served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida, as well as commander of U.S. Naval Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces from 2010-2012. VADM Fox commanded Carrier Strike Group 10 aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in 2008-2009/.