The escalating confrontation between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other, is not confined to the Gulf. Its tremors reach the Red Sea, a corridor that carries the lifeblood of global trade. While all Red Sea states feel the impact, Somaliland stands out as the most strategically positioned and resilient. Though unrecognized, it is uniquely placed to respond to global conflict in ways that surpass its neighbors. The world’s attention may be fixed on Tehran, Tel Aviv, and Washington, but Somaliland sits at the crossroads of consequence, embodying both vulnerability and opportunity.

The Bab el-Mandeb strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints. Nearly ten percent of global trade and a significant share of oil shipments pass through these waters. Any escalation in the Gulf war risks disrupting this artery, raising shipping costs, insurance premiums, and rerouting expenses. Somaliland, directly tied to these waters, has the potential to respond more effectively than Djibouti, Eritrea, or Sudan—countries weakened by foreign dependency or internal........

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