Welcome to the new era of global sea power
Naval might is back at the heart of competition—and conflict
Editor’s note: This article was updated on January 12th to incorporate news of the American and British strikes on Houthi targets, and more.
THE OCEANS matter in geopolitics once more. In the Middle East the Houthi rebel group is menacing shipping in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade. On January 12th America and Britain launched strikes on over 60 Houthi targets in Yemen. The allies strikes are an attempt to reassert freedom of navigation in a crucial artery of world trade but also dramatically expand the geographic scope of the Middle East conflict. Taiwan stands on the cusp of an election that could shape its future. A fight over the island would involve an intense Sino-American naval war stretching well beyond the Pacific. And in Europe the war in Ukraine may turn on the maritime contest for the Black Sea and Crimea. Sea power is back.
This article appeared in the International section of the print edition under the headline "Gun, boat, diplomacy"
From the January 13th 2024 edition
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