Center For Maritime Security – U.S. military officials and policymakers face a difficult choice in the Bab el-Mandeb: commit to a massive and sustained investment in maintaining open sea lanes by permanently neutralizing the Yemeni Houthi movement or allowing the international community to bear the burden of increased shipping costs. The geopolitical consequences of this decision will not be limited to the Arabian Peninsula and—in either case—the Houthis’ asymmetric blockade of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is setting a massive precedent in the modern history of naval warfare.