Middle east. U. S. Military Officials Today carried out another airstrike on an iranianbacked houthi rebel in yemen. This comes just one day after the u. S. And uk launched strikes on dozens of targets in Western Yemen in response to the groups ongoing assault on shipping vessels and lanes in the red sea. Some fear the strikes could escalate the conflict in the middle east, as the region already grapples with Israels War on gaza. Now, as those tensions flare, questions are swirling here at home about Defense Secretary Lloyd austins hospitalization and his failure to inform, not only the public about his house but also the white house. Today, the pentagon says that the austin remains hospitalized in good condition. Its unclear when he will be released. Here to discuss is greg bruin, former u. S. Diplomat and former director of global engagement in the obama white house. He is not the president of the global Situation Room ink