Trump decided not to launch American attacks on the Houthis in Yemen, and reversed course after the Pentagon was already preparing for the operation.

After Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged him to intervene, Trump ordered the Pentagon to prepare for airstrikes. But on Sunday he changed his mind again.

Most of Trump's inner circle was deeply skeptical or outright opposed to joining Saudi Arabia's fight against the Houthis, especially because of the strain already facing the US military in the war with Iran.

The strikes were close to beginning, with target lists approved and bombs being dropped on US fighter jets as Trump backed off.

Source: NYT