William Lawrence, professor of international relations at American University
and a former top US diplomat, said that although reports indicate Trump refused
a Saudi request to strike Houthi forces, the United States could still intervene
and may at some point increase military involvement in the Saudi–Houthi
confrontation. He noted Washington has acted when Yemeni developments affected
US interests, pointed to links between conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab
al‑Mandeb and the global economy, and cited US security commitments to Saudi
Arabia. There is growing sentiment in the US that authorities "need to do
something" to help protect Saudi Arabia and prevent the Houthis consolidating
gains, though the form of action is unclear. The US is already deeply engaged:
roughly 100 US military advisers in Saudi Arabia provide broad intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance support, so further US involvement would not
require a large escalation.
