The U.S. conducted significant strikes against Iranian-backed proxies in the Middle East on Thursday, making it the most significant military action since President Joe Biden took office. Notably, these strikes were carried out with the guidance of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who has been hospitalized for complications following a prostatectomy since January 1.

Senior administration officials affirm that Secretary Austin played a crucial role in planning and authorizing the strike on the Houthis. Despite being in the hospital, Secretary Austin was actively engaged in discussions and meetings, monitoring the operation in real-time. He participated in a meeting on January 9 with top military leaders, General Charles Brown and General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, to monitor Houthi activity in maritime shipping lanes. Additionally, Austin spoke with President Biden twice and participated in calls with the National Security Council to discuss response options following authorization.

Despite facing criticism from lawmakers demanding more transparency regarding his hospitalization, Austin's involvement in the strike highlights his commitment to national security. While Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have called for a formal probe and Austin's resignation, senior White House officials support his continued role, emphasizing the importance of continuity in addressing widening national security challenges.

Secretary Austin has been in the hospital for 11 days after undergoing a procedure to treat prostate cancer. Pentagon officials state that he has been actively participating in relevant meetings and discussions during this time, although there is no public timetable for his release from Walter Reed.

Concerns were raised last week when it was revealed that the Pentagon did not promptly inform the White House about Austin's hospitalization while planning and executing the strike on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. The White House, in an attempt to manage the fallout and address criticism, has stated that Austin could have handled the situation better but maintained that he will not resign, and President Biden supports him.

The decision to carry out these strikes came after the Houthis launched a significant attack on commercial shipping, firing drones and ballistic missiles into a busy commercial waterway. This attack was intercepted by U.S. and British warships.

The Pentagon has been consistently increasing the U.S. presence in the Middle East in response to various threats, including Iranian threats to commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and Hamas' attack on Israel in October. The USS Eisenhower was deployed to the region in November to replace the USS Ford.

Secretary of Defense Austin's involvement in directing the strike on Iranian-backed proxies from his hospital bed highlights the continued functionality of the chain of command. It also underscores the importance of maintaining national security amidst growing challenges.