Maritime strategy

The Martyr Rais Ali Delvari warship is unveiled during a ceremony in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on February 27, 2025. (Photo by DEFA Press news agency)

Iran’s IRGC says advanced warship joins naval fleet amid US tensions

The addition appears to be Iran's latest strategic yet cautious positioning in the face of strain with the United States and Israel.

A Russian Steregushchiy class corvette arrives at the port of the Sudanese city of Port Sudan, on March 18, 2021.

Analysis

Following Syria losses, Russia seeks to double down on Africa presence

Following Assad’s fall, Russia has been expanding its influence in Africa by securing a naval base in Sudan and increasing its military presence in Libya to maintain strategic access to the Mediterranean and Red seas.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

A general view shows docked ships at the harbor of the Sudanese city of Port Sudan, on April 27, 2021.

Analysis

Sudan, Russia reach 'understanding' on naval base but hurdles remain

A naval base deal that has been more than five years in the making has gained renewed attention after statements from Sudan’s foreign minister while in Moscow.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on Nov. 3, 2024 in Suez, Egypt.

Egypt’s Suez Canal chief optimistic about Red Sea as attacks die down

The Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have ceased owing to the ceasefire in Gaza, prompting Egypt to encourage shipping companies to resume sailing through the waterway.

Latest News

Analysis

How will Trump's terrorist designation of Houthis impact Red Sea attacks?

INTERNATIONAL WATERS RED SEA, YEMEN - NOVEMBER 20: This handout screen grab captured from a video shows Yemen's Houthi fighters' takeover of the Galaxy Leader Cargo in the Red Sea coast off Hudaydah, on November 20, 2023 in the Red Sea, Yemen. On Monday, the Houthi movement in Yemen released footage and photos of the Houthi-run coastguard taking over the Israeli-linked Galaxy Leader Vessel in the Red Sea, which had 52 people onboard. Galaxy Leader is owned by Galaxy Maritime Ltd in the Isle of Man and is li

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Analysis

With Saudi and UAE deals, Spain's defense industry seizes Gulf expansion

A military corvette in the port of Malaga, Spain, March 4, 2020.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Analysis

As Qatar looks to modernize navy, Turkey and Italy emerge as dominant players

A general view shows warships docked at Hamad Port during the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX), in the Qatari capital Doha on March 20, 2022.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Turkey says Ethiopia, Somalia reach deal to end Somaliland dispute

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara, on Dec. 11.

This undated photo taken in April 2018 shows China's sole operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning (front), sailing with other ships during a drill at sea.

How significant is Egypt and China’s naval exercise in Mediterranean?

The exercise follows Egyptian President Sisi’s May trip to Beijing, as well as Chinese interest in Egypt’s ports and tech sector.

The low-emission container ship Antonia Maersk by Danish shipping company A.P. Moller - Maersk is seen behind containers during its christening at the harbor of Aarhus, Denmark, on August 9, 2024. The ship sails on green methanol. (Photo by Mikkel Berg Pedersen / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by MIKKEL BERG PEDERSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

What Maersk's $250M logistics park means for Saudi Arabia

Danish logistics company remains invested in the Red Sea despite continued threats to shipping from Yemen's Houthi militants.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Somali and Turkish foreign ministers

Ethiopia-Somalia set for second round of talks in Turkey next week

Turkey’s framework proposal for the two countries aims to secure Ethiopian access to the Red Sea while ensuring Somalia's territorial integrity.

The Iran-flagged oil tanker ship Clavel is docked at Shahid Beheshti Port in the southeastern Iranian coastal city of Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman, during an inauguration ceremony of new equipment and infrastructure at the port on February 25, 2019.

Amid US-sanction fears, can India, Iran move ahead with $370M port deal?

Will progress on the long-term bilateral agreement signed by New Delhi and Tehran on the development of the Shahid Beheshti port be stymied by US sanctions?

This picture taken on October 29, 2023, in Istanbul shows Turkish naval forces warship Frigates TCG F 497, Goksu sails during a military naval parade on Bosphorus to mark 100th anniversary celebrations of Turkish republic.

Somaliland warns against Turkey's naval deployment off Somalia's coast

The Turkish parliament will soon vote on a two-year mandate allowing the Turkish army to dispatch troops to Somali waters.

The frigate HDMS Iver Huitfeldt (F361) of the Royal Danish Navy arrives at the Naval Base in Korsoer, Denmark on April 4, 2024. Since February 2024, the Danish frigate Iver Huitfeldt has been deployed in the Red Sea as part of the US-led international naval coalition 'Operation Prosperity Guardian'. The coalition's task is to protect civilian shipping against attacks from the Houthi movement in Yemen. (Photo by Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpi

Analysis

As Gulf maritime threats persist, can EU's naval mission deter Houthis?

The European Union Naval Force mission and accomplishments reinforce commitment to becoming a significant maritime security provider. However, the absence of a clear strategy to effectively mitigate the escalating threat from Houthi rebels casts a shadow over the potential restoration of stability in the region.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures before his speech as he holds a letter by President Droupadi Murmu (not pictured) requesting him to form the country's new government, at the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on June 7, 2024.

Analysis

Can Modi fast-track India-Mideast-Europe corridor post-reelection?

Ramping up initial phase of the corridor between India and the United Arab Emirates tops the agenda in New Delhi.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on June 11, 2024. (Source: KSAmofaEN/Twitter/X)

Kuwait doubles down on Saudi ties driven by economics, counter-Islamism

Kuwait's newly appointed crown prince, Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah, is expected to advance the already good ties between his country and Saudi Arabia, as the two seek to further their economic prosperity.

This picture taken on March 7, 2024, shows the Rubymar cargo ship partly submerged off the coast of Yemen.

As Houthis sink second vessel, shipping industry calls for Red Sea protection

A shipping salvage firm confirmed on Wednesday that the M/V Tutor, a Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, had sunk after being hit by two Houthi cruise missiles on June 12. The attack killed one crew member from the Philippines.

JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

US Navy rescues 24 crew members after Houthi attack, 1 lost at sea

Two cargo ships are at risk of sinking in the Red Sea, abandoned by their crews after Houthi missile strikes triggered US airstrikes on radar sites controlled by the Yemeni rebels.

TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/AFP via Getty Images

Three main disagreements constrain Turkey-Greece ties following Mitsotakis visit

The Greek prime minister's visit to Turkey inspired both optimistic and pessimistic outlooks for the future of the two NATO allies.

SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey, Greece reach understanding on contentious Aegean marine park plan

The announcement comes a day after Turkish-Greek leadership summit in Ankara between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kyriakos Mitsotakis.