Bait and Switch’: Biden’s Houthi Terror Designation Dilution Sparks Outrage
The Biden Administration’s Weaker Sanctions on Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels Draw Criticism
The Biden administration has taken steps to reapply sanctions on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, but with a weaker federal statute that falls short of criminalizing support for the terrorist group or requiring American banks to seize their assets, according to current and former U.S. officials.
After a series of Houthi attacks on U.S. and Western ships in the Middle East, the Biden administration announced on Tuesday that the Houthis would be placed on the Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) list, imposing new sanctions on the group starting from February 16.
However, this designation is significantly weaker than the one implemented by the Trump administration, which classified the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The FTO classification criminalized all support for the militant group and mandated U.S. banks to seize their funds. In a gesture of goodwill towards Iran, the Biden administration removed the Houthis from the FTO list upon taking office in 2021.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels, based in Yemen, have been causing havoc in the Middle East for months by attacking Western military and commercial ships in support of Hamas’s war on Israel. The Biden administration’s response to these attacks has been criticized as tepid, with limited retaliatory strikes on the group’s infrastructure. This has led to accusations from Republican lawmakers and former officials that the administration is avoiding confrontation with Iran and its terrorist proxies. The recent designation of the Houthis under a weaker federal statute has only intensified the criticism.
“This is a bait and switch,” said Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “Get the media to write they’re listing the Houthis as a terrorist group while obscuring the decision not to relist the group as a foreign terrorist organization. They know FTO status would put maximalist pressure on the Houthis—which is why they won’t do it.”
When questioned about the decision to pursue a weaker designation, a senior official from the Biden administration stated that the SDGT listing would provide “better flexibility” to provide aid to war-torn Yemen and avoid unintended consequences for the humanitarian situation. However, under the SDGT designation, the Houthis can still access American visas, and supporting them is not considered a criminal offense.
“By refusing to label the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, Biden is preventing several important policies to keep Americans safe and the Houthis weaker,” said Gabriel Noronha, a former State Department adviser on Iran. “An FTO designation allows the Department of Justice to prosecute any American who swears allegiance or provides material support to the Houthis, with penalties and enforcement far more robust than the SDGT designation.”
Republican lawmakers and advocacy groups have criticized the Biden administration for succumbing to pressure and issuing a designation that gives the Houthis breathing room. They argue that the Houthis should be recognized as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, rather than being classified as an SDGT.
“The Houthis are terrorists. Why doesn’t Biden agree?” questioned Rep. Kevin Hern, the chairman of the Republican Study Committee.
The Biden administration’s decision to pursue a weaker designation has drawn widespread criticism, with calls for stronger action against the Houthi rebels and their Iranian backers.
How does the Biden administration’s classification of the Houthi rebels as SDGT instead of FTO impact their ability to combat this terrorist group?
E Biden administration’s decision to classify the Houthi rebels as SDGT instead of FTO shows a concerning lack of seriousness in dealing with this terrorist group,” said Senator Tom Cotton. “By not criminalizing support for the Houthis or requiring American banks to seize their assets, the administration is effectively enabling their illicit activities and providing them with much-needed financial support.”
Critics argue that the weaker sanctions imposed by the Biden administration not only fail to address the threat posed by the Houthi rebels but also send a concerning message to other terrorist groups and state sponsors of terrorism. By removing the FTO classification, the administration is seen as downgrading the severity of the Houthi’s actions and undermining the efforts made by the previous administration to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region.
The Biden administration’s approach to dealing with the Houthi rebels is part of a broader strategy to re-engage with Iran through the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. Critics argue that by prioritizing the JCPOA and seeking to negotiate with Iran, the administration is providing concessions to a state that sponsors terrorism, thereby weakening the United States’ position in the region.
Former National Security Advisor, John Bolton, expressed his concern over the Biden administration’s approach, stating, “Negotiating with Iran while they continue to support terrorist groups like the Houthis undermines our national security. We should be taking a tougher stance against Iran and their proxies, not appeasing them.”
The Houthi rebels are known for their close ties with Iran and have received extensive military and financial support from the Iranian regime. Their attacks on Western ships and support for Hamas’s war on Israel are seen as part of Iran’s broader efforts to exert influence and destabilize the region. Critics argue that by failing to impose stronger sanctions on the Houthis, the Biden administration is enabling Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East.
The Biden administration’s decision has also received criticism for its potential implications on regional stability. By not taking a stronger stance against the Houthi rebels, the administration risks emboldening other militant groups in the region and undermining the security of US allies, particularly Saudi Arabia and Israel, who are targeted by the Houthis’ attacks.
As the Biden administration continues to face criticism for its weaker sanctions on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, it remains to be seen how it will respond to the growing calls for a tougher stance on Iran and its terrorist proxies. With regional stability and US national security at stake, many argue that a stronger approach is needed to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East.
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