It's the thing that allowed states to move out of colonialism post WW2. The American fleet is a fraction of what it used to be, and the populace appetite for a war glassing the Houthis where the US benefits very little is non-existent.

Could the US turn their might on any nation in the middle east and end their ability to wage war and affect this? Absolutely. Is it worth it in an election year? Not to this administration.