The US Navy confiscated large shipments of Iranian missiles and other armaments headed to Houthi rebel groups in Yemen. Iranian-backed Houthis have been waging war on Saudi Arabia for years, and are steadily supplied by the Iranians.

After President Trump built relations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and the Saudi Kingdom in order to move the Abraham Accords to fruition, the Biden administration immediately cooled toward Saudi Arabia.

Granted, Saudi Arabia has been antithetical to American human rights values, and should be held to standards in negotiations. However, if not for the Saudis, it is unlikely Trump would have gained enough foreign policy clout to broker accords between Israel and moderate Sunni nations who are now understanding the value of peace with Israel.

Does this show of American military might dramatically change the dynamics in the Middle East? No. But it is a welcome step in the right direction for the Biden administration. For excellent commentary on this development, check out Joel Rosenberg’s: