Sep 22, 2026 · 25 min
Trump weighs strikes as threats span Yemen and Alaska
September 22nd, 2026: Trump Calls Off Major Attack Against The Houthis & Chinese Ships Near Alaska
The episode connects a near-miss military decision in Yemen with expanding U.S. scrutiny of Chinese activity and strategic risks around Alaska.
- 1Trump reportedly came within minutes of ordering strikes against the Houthis as attacks threatened the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- 2The Coast Guard monitored Chinese research vessels operating near Alaska, underscoring heightened attention to U.S. maritime approaches.
- 3The episode also examines Russia’s parliamentary election results and a proposed U.S.-China system for reporting dangerous AI incidents.
Don't miss
Reports that Donald John Trump came within minutes of ordering strikes against the Houthis before calling off the operation.
The brief
Mike Baker opens with reports that Donald John Trump nearly ordered U.S. strikes against Yemen’s Houthis as their offensive threatened the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The reported decision captures the tension between responding to attacks on a strategically important waterway and avoiding another major military escalation.
The briefing then turns north, where the Coast Guard monitored Chinese research vessels near Alaska, bringing maritime competition closer to U.S. territory.
It also covers Russia’s parliamentary election results and a proposed U.S.-China mechanism for notifying each other about national-security-threatening AI incidents.
The standout thread is the contrast between an attack nearly ordered in Yemen and new efforts to manage risks involving China and advanced technology.
Featuring
Donald John Trump
Coast Guard
Alaska
The PentagonListen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.