On the night of Tuesday, January 30th, a Houthi-launched cruise missile in the Red Sea came within a mile of a US destroyer, marking the closest proximity to a US warship to date. The USS Gravely successfully shot down the missile using its Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). While typically intercepted at a range of eight miles, the incident highlights the ongoing threat the Houthis pose to US naval assets and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned the "reckless and illegal attacks," attributing them to Iran's support, providing the Houthis with advanced weapons. The incident occurred shortly after three US service members were killed in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants in Jordan. Despite concerns about the Houthi missile's proximity, experts suggest it doesn't necessarily indicate increased sophistication. The US is contemplating responses to recent attacks, considering potential strikes or cyberattacks on certain Iranian or Iran-backed assets. However, officials emphasize the reluctance to escalate into a full-scale war with Iran.

Also on January 30th, North Korea conducted its third cruise missile test within a week, firing several missiles into the waters off its west coast, as reported by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. The country, not prohibited from testing cruise missiles under UN sanctions, recently launched submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles. Leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the Pulhwasal-3-31 missile launch, showcasing North Korea's advancements in military modernization. The tests come amid heightened tensions, with Kim declaring South Korea as the "principal enemy." Japan, South Korea, and the United States have expanded joint military exercises, while Kim shuts down agencies focused on reunification and outreach. The international community closely monitors North Korea's weapon development, including solid-fuelled hypersonic ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable underwater attack drones launched earlier this year.

On February 4th, The United States announced plans to launch additional strikes on Iran-backed groups in the Middle East, according to White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. This follows recent attacks on Tehran-aligned factions in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, carried out in response to an attack on U.S. troops in Jordan. The strikes are part of an escalating conflict since October, triggered by Hamas attacking Israel from Gaza. The U.S. and Britain targeted 36 Houthi sites in Yemen after hitting Iran-backed groups. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Israel to advance talks on hostages and a potential Saudi-Israel deal. Iran, avoiding direct confrontation, denounced the attacks as a violation of international law. The situation involves regional alliances, retaliatory actions, and diplomatic efforts to address the broader conflict.

Click here to read all of this week's headlines.