A Pentagon dispute 18 months ago was prelude to problems in Iran
Washington Post
Washington Post
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The United States launched bombing campaigns against Yemen's Houthis in 2025 despite Pentagon concerns about military stockpiles and unclear strategic objectives. The Iran-backed group continues to complicate regional stability.
A Pentagon dispute in Trump’s first war foreshadowed Iran challenges - The Washington Post
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A Pentagon dispute 18 months ago was prelude to problems in Iran
The U.S. began bombing Yemen’s Houthis in 2025 despite concern over weapons stocks and unclear goals. The Iran-backed group is still bedeviling the region.
October 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. EDTToday at 5:00 a.m. EDT
15 min
*A member of the Houthis holds a missile fragment at the site of a U.S. strike in 2025. (Khaled Abdullah/Reuters)*
By Dan Lamothe
,
Rachel Chason
and
Suzan Haidamous
As Houthi militants in Yemen attacked ships with missiles and drones in the Red Sea early last year, top U.S. officials gathered at the Pentagon to prepare military options for President Donald Trump. Their meetings repeatedly grew tense.
---
What readers are saying
The comments express strong criticism of the Trump administration, describing it as incompetent and likening its operations to a reality TV show. Commenters highlight issues such as poor strategic leadership, alienation of allies, and mishandling of international relations,... Show more
This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.
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Accessibility statement
Democracy Dies in Darkness
SubscribeSign in
Democracy Dies in Darkness
WorldMiddle EastAfricaAmericasAsiaEurope
WorldMiddle EastAfricaAmericasAsiaEurope
A Pentagon dispute 18 months ago was prelude to problems in Iran
The U.S. began bombing Yemen’s Houthis in 2025 despite concern over weapons stocks and unclear goals. The Iran-backed group is still bedeviling the region.
October 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. EDTToday at 5:00 a.m. EDT
15 min
*A member of the Houthis holds a missile fragment at the site of a U.S. strike in 2025. (Khaled Abdullah/Reuters)*
By Dan Lamothe
,
Rachel Chason
and
Suzan Haidamous
As Houthi militants in Yemen attacked ships with missiles and drones in the Red Sea early last year, top U.S. officials gathered at the Pentagon to prepare military options for President Donald Trump. Their meetings repeatedly grew tense.
---
What readers are saying
The comments express strong criticism of the Trump administration, describing it as incompetent and likening its operations to a reality TV show. Commenters highlight issues such as poor strategic leadership, alienation of allies, and mishandling of international relations,... Show more
This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.
* Opinion Robert Granader Are cats going to outnumber dogs? October 4, 2026
* Isaac Arnsdorf Four ways the midterm elections could go, one month away 2 hours ago
* Naftali Bendavid Trump’s opponents are planning efforts to reverse his changes to presidency October 4, 2026
* Tim Craig ‘Dying on the vine’: How a farmer ended up with 1,600 tons of unwanted grapes October 4, 2026
* Column Carolyn Hax Carolyn Hax: His new girlfriend’s anti-cheater book alarms his cheating ex Earlier today
* Megan Buerger How quitting drinking can upend marriages and friendships 2 hours ago
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* Accessibility Statement
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* Style
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* Climate
* Well+Being
* D.C., Md., & Va.
* Obituaries
* Weather
* Arts & Entertainment
* Recipes
* WP Intelligence
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* Manage Your Subscription
* Become a Subscriber
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Tags:#البنتاغون#إيران#اليمن#الحوثيون#البحر الأحمر#السياسة الخارجية
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