The Red Sea Crisis: The Fraying Threads of US Hegemony

The Red Sea Crisis: The Fraying Threads of US Hegemony
In an unexpected turn of events, the attention of global public opinion, fixated on the Hague Tribunal's investigation into the Israeli regime's genocide in Gaza, has been dramatically diverted away as the United States and the United Kingdom, driven by a desire to salvage their wounded pride, have launched attacks against Yemen. While the damage inflicted upon Yemeni armed forces remains minimal, this blatant aggression signifies the erosion of US military-political hegemony on multiple fronts.

By: H. Zaïm-Bashi



Only weeks ago, the United States put forth an ambitious coalition plan, promising the participation of forty countries in an offensive against Yemen. However, this coalition materialized with a mere 10 countries, including the United States and its steadfast ally, the UK, launching the assault on Yemen. The coalition's composition, which includes countries such as Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, and the UK, reveals a glaring absence of significant regional players in West Asia. Bahrain, a tiny country of limited regional influence, stands as the sole representative from the Middle East region. This circumstance underscores the United States' failure to muster a consensus against Yemen and rally influential regional and international actors, demonstrating its waning ability to shape regional and global power dynamics, a harbinger of its declining hegemony.



Another notable factor lies in the contrasting narratives surrounding the attack. Following Biden's announcement of the participation of Australia, the Netherlands, Canada, and Bahrain, Australian and Dutch authorities spoke of only the participation of auxiliary personnel in the assault.



Firstly, despite issuing statements of support, the coalition countries did not reach an agreement on initiating the attack or fully participate in its execution. Secondly, the countries mentioned in connection with the attack, reluctantly aligning themselves with the US and the UK, exhibit apprehension over potential repercussions from Yemen's retaliatory measures. Consequently, they have limited their involvement, as evidenced by the Netherlands and Australia, while Canada and Bahrain have remained conspicuously silent. Lastly, the United States and Britain deceptively seek to expand the anti-Yemen coalition to mitigate the ramifications they may face domestically and internationally.



In light of these developments, it is evident that the American endeavor to forge an international or even regional consensus for the assault on Yemen has faltered, coupled with the attack's clandestine nature, which stands as a testament to the diminishing US hegemony. Internally, consensus-building has proven arduous, if not impossible, underscoring the erosion of influence within the United States itself.



Remarkably, the US media outlets, through their reports, have characterized their country's military aggression, alongside Britain, in Yemen as "non-deterrent," expressing concerns over the escalation of regional conflicts. This portrayal further tarnishes the image and standing of the White House, highlighting its inability to achieve any significant gains from the attack. Despite claims of protecting maritime activities in the Red Sea, US actions against Yemen have proven inconsequential for both the United States and the Israeli regime, in fact exacerbating their predicament in the vital Red Sea.



Lastly, it is vital to acknowledge the resilience of the Yemeni people, who have endured nine years of war, bombings, and severe famines. The attack, targeting only twelve regions within the Arab nation, is unlikely to defeat or deter their unwavering commitment towards their Palestinian brethren. As the spokesperson for the Yemeni armed forces emphasizes, their mission to support the Palestinian nation compels them to continue targeting ships destined for Israeli ports. These resolute words expose the futility of Washington's endeavors to achieve deterrence or restore its international prestige.



In conclusion, the recent events surrounding the US-UK joint attacks against Yemen underscore a remarkable decline in US hegemony. The failure to garner a broad international consensus, the absence of influential regional players, and the inability to rally political officials and elites within the United States all serve as glaring indicators of the diminishing power once wielded by Washington in the region. As the situation in Yemen unfolds, it is increasingly apparent that the United States' attempts to achieve its objectives have yielded no tangible outcomes, ultimately worsening the current crisis facing the Zionist regime.