Türkiye's 2019 agreement with Tripoli on maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean irked Athens at the time. The idea that Tobruk may ratify it has set off Greek alarms.
A waterway wedged between Africa and Asia is the preferred transit route for around 30% of global containerised trade. No wonder foreign stakeholders are all vying for bases along the route.
Cairo wants to regenerate its shipbuilding capabilities to boost its maritime fleet, but experts say this is a long-term plan requiring lots of investment. Can Egypt hope to compete?
With more than half of Egypt's normal shipping traffic now diverting around Africa and its economy in dire straits, there are serious doubts about its plans to build a parallel canal
China's maritime focus at present remains in its vicinity. Its presence in the Middle East is a slow build. It might never become a regional military superpower, but it can't be ruled out entirely.
Wherever you look, there are problems in the world's major trade arteries, with the worst ripple effects yet to be felt. Despite this, more disarray may follow.
As the world's attention turns to the safety of maritime trade routes, it is important to recall that civilisations have transported goods and people across the seas for thousands of years.
'Telegram 29' shows Algeria's determination to win out in a bitter battle with Morocco to control lucrative trade flows in a vital strategic region at a time of wider turmoil
At least 50 affected countries, a 40% decline in Suez Canal revenues, and German car factories pause production. Al Majalla lays out the economic impact of Red Sea disruptions in numbers.
A US-Israeli attack on Iran has turned into a regional war, sending Brent crude prices over $100 a barrel, and throwing shipping, inflation, and monetary policy into turmoil
The current conflict is unlikely to go global for now, but the speed at which it has spread regionally is alarming. A look at history shows the geopolitical factors that led to world wars.
Riyadh and Cairo are trying to ease the acute oil shortfall through alternative pipelines, but these are just band-aid solutions, as the world's most vital energy corridor remains closed by Iran
The rushed 2025 rollout raised questions about the government's seriousness. Since then, no meaningful record has been published, fuelling fears that it was just a show.