Red (Sea) Lines
Tensions remain… tense in the Middle East.
On Wednesday, the Yemen-based, Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced that they would resume attacking Israeli ships in the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel halting the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Then, Saturday, to “defend American interests, deter enemies and restore freedom of navigation,” Washington launched “decisive and powerful” airstrikes against the Houthis. The Trump admin reported killing “multiple” Houthi leaders and damaging its radars, air defenses, and missile and drone systems; the Houthis reported 31 deaths and vowed to “respond to the escalation by escalating.”
The bombardment is reportedly the beginning of a larger campaign and a warning to Iran, an adversary Trump wants to prevent from acquiring nuclear weapons and has threatened military action against if Tehran won’t negotiate.
CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
When a fragile calm unravels into unnerving conflict, remember the God whose word brings order and goodness out of chaos.
“The heavens were made by the word of the LORD, and all the stars, by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the water of the sea into a heap; he puts the depths into storehouses. Let the whole earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spoke, and it came into being; he commanded, and it came into existence.”
Psalm 33:6–9 (CSB) (read full passage)