General (Ret.) Joseph Votel, former leader of CENTCOM and a member of CERL’s Executive Board, recently joined Fox News’ America Reports to discuss new threats in the Middle East from the IRGC and the Houthis. To General Votel, the threats showcase the success of U.S. efforts to financially squeeze Iran, and indicate a coordinated Iranian strategy of using proxy forces to attempt to pressure the United States and its allies, namely Saudi Arabia, in return. The general also noted that negotiations, not just military force, will likely be needed to bring the conflict to a decisive end.

General Joseph L. Votel, U.S. Army (Ret.), is the former Commander of the U.S. Central Command. He is a Distinguished Military Fellow at the Middle East Institute and a member of the CERL Executive Board. Read his bio here.

The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of any organization or university.