The New York Times published a report that reveals a growing concern in the American security and military circles due to the deep impact of what it called “the military campaign against the Houthis in Yemen” on the combat readiness of the Pentagon in the Asia-Pacific region.
Exclusive – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:
According to the newspaper, the focus of American concern is the intense military operations in the Middle East, which have escalated since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Gaza in October 2023, forcing Washington to direct large quantities of long-range ammunition such as Tomahawk cruise missiles and AGM-158 to the Yemeni theater. This ammunition is considered of utmost importance in any potential military scenario against China in the South or East China Seas.
The Times confirms that the concern here is that these weapons were specifically stored in strategic locations such as Guam and Okinawa as part of the deterrence plan against China. To date, these stockpiles have not been directly withdrawn, but senior Pentagon officials warn that this moment is approaching.
The report indicated that the campaign against the Houthis cost the Pentagon about 200 million in the first three weeks alone, while the actual estimates, including operational and logistical expenses, may exceed $1 billion. Nevertheless, the results on the ground are described as “limited,” as the airstrikes have so far failed to effectively destroy the Houthis’ arsenal of missiles and drones.
For the newspaper, the Pentagon is now in a complex position as it continues to support Ukraine with weapons and ammunition against Russia while being depleted in the Middle East.
The New York Times report states that in the event of a conflict with China, officials warn that “the United States may face real operational problems” due to the U.S. military’s inability to respond immediately in terms of ammunition and ready forces.
The newspaper quotes military leaders such as Admiral Samuel Paparo and former Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calling for the need to redirect resources towards Asia, considering that continued depletion in the Middle East weakens deterrence against China, which continues to rapidly build up its military and nuclear arsenal.
The newspaper’s report concludes that Washington is now facing a dual strategic challenge: maintaining its influence in the Middle East without compromising its readiness in the Pacific. If operations against the Houthis continue at the current pace, the United States may be forced to break the rules of ammunition distribution and move it from the Asian theaters to the Middle East, which could lead to a dangerous gap in the regional power balance with China.
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