In a calculated move, President Joe Biden has authorized air strikes on Huthi rebels in Yemen, strategically timed as the United States gears up for the 2024 presidential election. The 81-year-old Democrat hopes that these strikes will demonstrate strength both domestically and internationally, countering criticisms of his leadership by Republicans, particularly former President Donald Trump.

However, with the recent Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, Biden is aware of the potential risks of further inflaming tensions in the Middle East. This poses a dilemma for a president who has previously pledged to remove the US from prolonged military engagements in the region.

Taking a firm stance, Biden emphasized that the strikes sent a "clear message" that Washington and its allies will not tolerate any further attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, one of the world's critical maritime routes. On an election campaign trip in Pennsylvania, the president asserted that the Huthis would face consequences if they persist with their "outrageous behavior."

While some experts believe that the limited airstrikes may not have a significant political impact on Biden's campaign, given their restricted scope, Garret Martin, a professor at American University in Washington, warns that inaction could undermine the credibility of the US. Biden is cautious about being entangled in another Middle East conflict, a sentiment shared by many of his predecessors.

Republicans, however, have seized upon this opportunity to question Biden's credibility on the international stage. Trump, who launched his own airstrikes in Syria in 2018, criticized Biden for "dropping bombs all over the Middle East, AGAIN," using the Yemen strikes as a reminder of the chaotic US military withdrawal from Afghanistan during Trump's presidency. Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, potential Republican candidates in the 2024 elections, also accused Biden of being weak on foreign policy during a recent debate.

Age has become another point of focus for Republicans, as Biden is currently the oldest president in US history. They argue that his age undermines his ability to be an effective commander in chief. The recent revelation that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin kept his hospitalization for cancer treatment secret for days has further fueled criticisms of Biden's leadership and his grip on his own cabinet.

On the left-wing of his own Democratic Party, Biden faces opposition from those who oppose his support for Israel's military offensive in Gaza. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, accused Biden of violating the US Constitution by carrying out airstrikes in Yemen without seeking congressional approval.

Biden's decision may have been guided by two key factors that tend to resonate with US voters: the fear of deploying troops on the ground and the potential economic impact. Given the repeated attacks on US troops in Syria and Iraq by Iranian proxies, failure to take action against the Huthis could have sent a negative signal. Additionally, continued Huthi attacks in the Red Sea region could lead to soaring prices of essential commodities such as food and gasoline, which could harm Biden's chances of reelection.

As the election year unfolds, the Biden administration remains acutely aware of the delicate balance between projecting strength, avoiding prolonged engagement in the Middle East, and maintaining stability in global economic chokepoints. The outcome of these calculated gambles will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in the coming months.