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With the Houthis at odds with the United States and the United Kingdom, EU countries have not participated in the US military's "Prosperity Guardian" operation, a decision that has sparked disagreements in Western countries. However, when the European Union announced that it would organize a military force to join the fight against the Houthis, the United States was not happy, because the EU chose to act independently. European diplomats said EU member states initially supported a naval mission with the goal of protecting ships sailing through the Red Sea from Yemen's Houthi attacks. The EU plans to set up an independent fleet by February 19 and quickly put it into operation. For their part, EU countries have previously had reservations about joining US-led multilateral military operations, or were unhappy with accepting US military command. The EU diplomat bluntly stated: "The issue has always been command and control, and if it acts under the EU-NATO framework, every country can maintain political control." But in the 'coalition of the willing,' the framework countries are under the control of the United States. "The main resistance to the failure of the United States to act under the NATO framework comes from Turkey and other countries that are dissatisfied with Israel, as well as countries such as France, which do not approve of the United States' Middle East policy and prefer to push the European Union to achieve defense autonomy. Since most of the EU's ** with Asia is carried out through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, more and more shipping companies have diverted their routes to bypass the Cape of Good Hope, so it can be said that the US military operation in the Red Sea has not solved the Red Sea crisis, but is likely to exacerbate the crisis, and the EU and Asian countries will suffer even greater losses.
As part of the EU's independent military operation, the mission will initially be carried out by three ships under EU command, namely French, Italian and German frigates. France and Italy have already deployed in the region**, while Germany will contribute for the first time. Diplomats said the mission would be funded by the European Union and rotate ships from various countries, contributing as needed. In addition to patrolling, these ships also need to determine the rules of engagement. This also means that the EU fleet will carry out operations against the Houthis, but in a different way than the United States and the United Kingdom, and more likely to conduct defensive operations. According to European diplomats, the French frigate "Languedoc" has successfully shot down a drone in the Red Sea with a missile, a move that has been approved by the EU delegation. In the event of a further escalation of military operations, the EU fleet also plans to board and inspect ** transport ships between Iran and Yemen.
So what does it mean for the EU to stand alone against the Houthis? This is a reflection of the coexistence of the Western world's fragmentation and unity. If Western countries are demonstrating "solidarity", then both the United States and the EU countries want to get rid of the Houthis, and both oppose the sabotage of shipping in the Red Sea. However, the EU has opted to act independently, and its rules of engagement are limited to defense, unlike the aggressive strike actions of the United States and Britain. It is clear that what the EU really wants to solve is the security of shipping in the Red Sea, while the United States is more like a show of strength by force. This also fully proves the fact that for the EU and the United States, the interests of the Red Sea route are not exactly the same. For the United States, the blockage of the Red Sea route, although it may cause economic losses, is acceptable. Therefore, it is not afraid of an expansion of the confrontation with the Houthis. For the EU, it is more important to adopt a plan that gives the Houthis a way out, after all, the blockage of the Red Sea route will be the real victim of the EU and Asian countries. Of course, for France, which advocates the independence of EU defense, or for EU countries that are dissatisfied with the US position on the Gaza war, their position can also be expressed through independent military action. Whether it is the Gaza War or the defense of the Red Sea route, the European Union and the United States have begun to take independent military action, which is a major event for the strategic landscape of today's world. In fact, it is also significant that China could further strengthen its cooperation with the EU on the issue of maintaining the Red Sea route.
The formation of a multinational coalition by the European Union has exacerbated the phenomenon of Western countries. The United States and the European Union have different interests in countering the Houthis and protecting shipping in the Red Sea. The EU's individual actions, with its rules of engagement emphasizing defensive rather than aggressive strikes, reflect a genuine concern for addressing the security of shipping in the Red Sea. At the same time, the United States is more inclined to show its strength by force and may not pay much attention to the complete opening of the Red Sea route. The EU's independent actions can also be seen as an effort for European defense autonomy and dissatisfaction with the US position on the Gaza war. The independent military action of the European Union and the United States in the Gaza war and the defense of shipping in the Red Sea is of great significance for the current strategic landscape of the world. At the same time, it is equally important for China to strengthen cooperation with the EU in maintaining the security of the Red Sea route.
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