Stop the Houthis Now: A Wake-Up Call for Europe’s Defense Preparedness

Mideast journal: Immediate Action Against the Houthis

According to Commentary’s Seth Mandel, Yemen’s Houthis are “experimenting with a model of 21st-century piracy that, if allowed to flourish, may become a permanent tactic and potentially replicated by others.” He asserts that “the Houthis can and must be halted, but doing so requires Western leaders to acknowledge the ramifications of their grave misjudgment regarding the Houthi threat.” This threat has already led to shipping expenses soaring by nearly 400 percent in some instances. More alarmingly, “the Houthis are likely self-sufficient even without Iranian backing.” The Trump administration, like Joe Biden, now grapples with the crucial decision of how to dismantle the Houthi threat to the global economy. Stopping the Houthis is the clear choice, while allowing the situation to progress would be both unreasonable and unjustifiable.

Foreign desk: Europe Faces a Critical Shift in Defense

“European nations are urgently preparing for the prospect that the United States may retract the security arrangement that has protected the continent for nearly eight decades,” observes Ani Chkhikvadze from the Washington Examiner. Historically, “European governments have underfunded defense.” However, Trump’s suspension of military aid to Kyiv “forced Europeans to reevaluate their own defense capabilities.” The realization hits that “if the conflict ends favorably for Russia and the U.S. pulls back, Europe could become the next target.” Consequently, “European nations are now contemplating a significant increase in defense expenditure.” Nevertheless, they encounter “public apathy,” as American involvement has allowed Europeans to avoid confronting their physical security. The pressing question now is: “If the U.S. withdraws, will Europe finally take the initiative?”

NY cardinal: Christians Must Denounce Antisemitism

“It appears that each generation must relearn that hatred of Jews is not merely unacceptable but a serious evil,” asserts Timothy Cardinal Dolan in The Free Press. “During this Lenten season, we Catholics and all Christians should deeply reflect on our faith’s rejection of antisemitism” and understand how “social media can distort young perspectives.” Catholics stand against racism because “every human being is made in the image of God, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.” Both Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI have emphasized “the fundamental incompatibility of antisemitism and Christianity.” Acknowledging Christianity’s roots in Judaism, Pope Francis urges Christians to work towards eradicating antisemitism from our communities.

Culture critic: Some Immigrants Bring Hostility

The imminent deportation of pro-Hamas Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil has highlighted “a frequently ignored reality,” notes Matthew Hennessey from The Wall Street Journal. “Not all the desperate, marginalized individuals who arrive in this country aspire to freedom. Some come to disrupt our society.” They harbor disdain for us — “our customs, our way of life,” and “our perceived ignorance and arrogance.” Why do they choose to come here? For some, it’s due to “persecution and poverty”; they “yearn for a life of freedom.” No one compelled Khalil to come, nor did he leave upon his arrival. “Should Americans tolerate” ungrateful immigrants? I’m perfectly fine with sending “those intent on causing us harm” back home. Additionally, if it’s shown that Khalil “violated the civil rights of Jewish students” at Columbia, he certainly deserves a one-way ticket in the cargo hold.

UK beat: Farewell to Free Speech

In recent times, “Britain’s speech regulators have grown more powerful while the definitions of offenses have become increasingly ambiguous,” warns Paul du Quenoy at Tablet. A few anti-abortion advocates have faced arrest and prosecution, and they’re “not alone in being targeted by Britain’s speech enforcement agencies.” In one ludicrous instance, “Jamila Abdi, a 21-year-old Black woman, was criminally charged last summer for using the ‘N-word’ in reference to a Black soccer player during a Twitter thread,” although those charges were ultimately dropped “due to concerns that prosecuting a Black person for the term could itself be considered racist.” Nevertheless, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage rightly commented last month that in Britain today, “you can’t speak your mind without risking imprisonment.”

— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board