"Designation Of Ansar Allah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. (01,22,25)

What is this?

Executive Order 14175, titled "Designation of Ansar Allah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization", is a presidential order signed by President Trump on January 22, 2025, that starts the process of officially labeling Ansar Allah (commonly known as the Houthis) from Yemen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under U.S. law. This decision comes as part of the ongoing Red Sea crisis where Houthi forces have conducted over 100 attacks on commercial ships and warships since November 2023 according to WashingtoninstituteReuters. The attacks have sunk two vessels, seized another, and killed at least four seafarers, all while disrupting global trade through crucial shipping routes including the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

What is in it for us?

The executive order designating the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization has little direct impact on most young adults and teens. However, young people could see indirect effects through higher prices on goods shipped through the Red Sea, since shipping disruptions often increase costs for clothes, electronics, and other imports. On the positive side, supporters argue this could help make shipping routes safer and eventually stabilize prices on goods young people buy.

The designation has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it could worsen Yemen's humanitarian crisis by making it harder to deliver aid to millions of people facing famine. Young people interested in international affairs might see this as an example of U.S. foreign policy debates about balancing security concerns with humanitarian needs. There's also a slight possibility that young adults with family connections to Yemen could face complications with travel or banking, though this would depend on how broadly the designation is applied.