The Suez Canal/Red Sea/Gulf of Aden corridor linking the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean constitutes one of the world’s most important maritime arteries, where roughly some 30% of global container trade, 12% of seaborn oil and about 8% of LNG pass through annually. Altogether, it is said that it handles about 12 – 15% of global trade by volume. The corridor is the shortest and most cost-effective link between Asia and Europe and is essential for “just-in-time” supply chains and global logistics. Since maritime shipping carries over 80% of global goods, any disruption in this corridor reverberates throughout the global economy.

The conflict in Yemen and the wider Middle East tensions all affect global trade, energy security and henceforth intensify geopolitical rivalries in the world and in particular this corridor, where major groups like China, the Gulf States, the United States, Europe, and others compete. This affects not only the security architecture of the Red Sea but also the political economy of the Horn of Africa States region, whose geography places it at the center of this global competition.

The Red Sea is a major artery connecting Chinese manufacturing to European and African markets. It is why China emphasizes infrastructure, logistics and long-term presence in the place of military dominance. China invests in ports,........

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