A new chokepoint

With the Strait of Hormuz facing blockages due to US-Iran tensions, the Bab al-Mandeb in the Red Sea is now emerging as a critical chokepoint for global maritime trade. If this passage also gets disrupted, the repercussions on global commerce could be devastating. This shift is part of broader regional instability, as Yemen’s pro-Iran Houthi militia threatens to block Saudi ships, escalating hostilities that could spread to the Red Sea. The potential blockages highlight the fragile nature of global supply chains and the escalating geopolitical risks in the area.