So the White House says the Houthis “capitulated.” That they folded like a cheap tent after a few months of airstrikes. But here’s the thing: capitulation usually means surrendering your weapons, your will, and your fight. The Houthis have done none of that.
Let’s recap: These aren’t some backwater rebels with AKs and pickup trucks. This is a well-armed, Iranian-backed force that’s been launching drones, striking shipping lanes, and playing cat-and-mouse with the U.S. Navy in one of the most strategically critical bodies of water on the planet. The Red Sea isn’t just about oil—it’s about global supply chains, deterrence, and credibility.
And yet, after thousands of bombs dropped under Operation Rough Rider, the Houthis are still standing. They’ve agreed to pause attacks on shipping—for now—but they’re still openly threatening Israel and proudly positioning themselves as regional defenders of Gaza. That’s not a white flag. That’s strategic recalibration.
The word “capitulate” here is less about facts and more about face. Trump needs a win on the international stage. Ending the bombing campaign while claiming victory gives him a headline. But let’s not confuse spin with substance.
If the Houthis truly lost, why are they still dictating terms? Why are they still launching rhetoric—and possibly more drones—toward Israel? Why are regional navies still keeping one eye open in the Bab al-Mandab?
Because this wasn’t a knockout. It was a mutual pause. The Houthis got breathing room. The U.S. got to stop bleeding money in an air campaign with no exit plan. Everyone walks away claiming they won.
But let’s be clear: this was not a surrender—it was a standoff.
And calling it anything else is just trying to dress up a draw in the costume of victory.