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"US Navy faces most intense conflict since WWII against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels."

Views expressed in this geopolitical news and analysis are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 14 June 2024, 2003 UTC.

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Russ Roberts (https://trendsingeopolitics.blogpost.com).

What The World is Following US Navy faces most intense combat since WWII against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels Credit: Bernat Armangue/AP The US-led campaign against the Houthi rebels, an Iran-backed rebel group based in Yemen, has turned into the most intense running sea battle the US Navy has faced since World War II, its leaders and experts told The Associated Press. The combat pits the navy's mission to keep international waterways open against a group whose former arsenal of assault rifles and pickup trucks has grown into a seemingly inexhaustible supply of drones, missiles and other weaponry. Near-daily attacks by the Houthis since November have seen more than 50 vessels clearly targeted, while shipping volume has dropped in the vital Red Sea corridor that leads to the Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean. The Houthis say the attacks are aimed at stopping the war in Gaza and supporting the Palestinians, though it comes as they try to strengthen their position in Yemen. All signs suggest the warfare will intensify — putting US sailors, their allies and commercial vessels at more risk. Russia-Ukraine War Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Friday to “immediately” order a ceasefire in Ukraine and begin negotiations if Kyiv started withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and renounced plans to join NATO. Such a deal appears a nonstarter for Kyiv, which wants to join the military alliance and has demanded that Russia withdraw its troops from all of its territory. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on Putin's proposal. Putin’s remarks came as G7 leaders from industrialized nations met in Italy and as Switzerland prepared to host scores of world leaders — but not from Moscow — this weekend to try to map out the first steps toward peace in Ukraine. The US and Ukraine this week also signed a 10-year security agreement that they hailed as a milestone in relations. Putin said his proposal is aimed at a “final resolution” of the conflict in Ukraine rather than “freezing it" and stressed that the Kremlin is “ready to start negotiations without delay.” China Supporters say a Chinese journalist who promoted women’s rights as part of the country’s nascent #MeToo movement has been sentenced to five years in prison on charges of incitement to subvert state authority, almost three years after she and an activist were detained. The verdict provided to The Associated Press stated that Huang Xueqin would also face a fine of $14,000, underscoring the ruling Communist Party’s intolerance of any activism outside its control in a system whose upper echelons are dominated by men. China’s #MeToo movement flourished briefly before being snuffed out by the government. China often silences activists by holding them incommunicado for a long time and then sentencing them to prison. Huang’s release date was listed as Sept. 18, 2026, accounting for her earlier detention. Co-defendant Wang Jianbing was sentenced to three years and six months on the same charge.  Want a peek behind the scenes? Today is the last day of our fundraising drive on June 14. We are still short of our goal of $25,000 and need your help. Will you give today and support our work to provide the high-quality, independent, international journalism you rely on? As a token of our gratitude, we are sharing an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our newsroom with everyone who donates during the drive. Thank you! From The World Out of Eden Walk: Walking Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor Credit: Paul Salopek/National Geographic, Out of Eden Walk Afghanistan’s wild and mountainous Wakhan Corridor is an isolated region, home to the rare snow leopard and to a human culture that has gone unchanged for centuries. People still get their flour for baking from water-powered grist mills. Host Marco Werman speaks with National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek about his trek through this rugged alpine wilderness. To prepare for college in the US, some South Korean students receive an international education close to home Credit: Chung Sung-Jun/Pool Photo via AP To many South Koreans, a degree from a prestigious American university is seen as a ticket to success. And for some students, there’s an alternate educational system and industry focused on getting them into the school of their dreams. Bright Spot Most people are at least a little addicted to their phones. In the Netherlands, three young Dutchmen came up with an idea to counteract that. It’s called The Offline Club, where attendees pay for the opportunity to spend an evening phone-free. Credit: Orla Barry/The World In case you missed it on The World Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: RadioPublic, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Soundcloud, RSS.  Thanks to our sponsor:

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