Iran's Role in Houthi Targeting in the Red Sea

1. The IRGC in Yemen

2. Ukraine’s War of Narratives

3. The Axis of Resistance Revived

4. Report Documents Harsh Treatment of Palestinian Detainees

5. Avoiding Regional War

6. Pakistan Enters the Fray

7. A Look at the Counter-Drone Fight

8. What to Expect from North Korea in 2024

9. Podcast Recommendations

---

1. The IRGC in Yemen

There are indications that commanders and advisors from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are directly involved in supporting Houthi rebel attacks in Yemen. The IRGC has stationed personnel, including missile and drone trainers, in Yemen, overseeing the transfer of attack drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles to the Houthis. Gen. Abdul Reza Shahlai, a commander linked to terrorist operations, oversees the IRGC's presence in Yemen. The Houthi attacks, aimed at aiding Hamas in its conflict with Israel, include striking a U.S.-owned container vessel. The IRGC's involvement raises the risk of a direct confrontation with the U.S., especially as the Biden administration aims to avoid military conflict with Iran. The Houthis, with increased military support from Iran, have developed advanced weaponry, disrupting global traffic in key waterways. The U.S. views the IRGC as having a historical role in attacks on American targets, and Shahlai, in particular, has been associated with operations against U.S. military personnel. Despite Tehran's public support for Houthi actions, both Iran and the Houthis deny direct Iranian involvement in the attacks, emphasizing the Houthi's independent decision-making and capabilities. The situation raises concerns about the potential escalation of tensions between the U.S. and the IRGC amid the ongoing conflicts in the region.

https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/irans-revolutionary-guard-deployed-yemen

2. Ukraine’s War of Narratives