Why the Strait of Hormuz is so important

Why the Strait of Hormuz is so important

Maritime oil trade from the Arabian Peninsula relies exclusively on two strategic chokepoints: The Strait of Hormuz, to the UAE’s north, and Bab Al Mandeb to the south.

Despite efforts to diversify the GCC countries’ economy, oil trade remains a lifeline. More than a third of the world’s petroleum trade by sea passes through the Strait of Hormuz. At its most narrow, The Strait of Hormuz is just 54 KM wide. It connects the Arabian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, separating the shores of Oman and Iran.

It’s one of the most strategically important waterways in the world. But with tensions between Iran and some of the GCC countries rising, the Strait of Hormuz might also be the GCC’s biggest strategic vulnerability.

This week, we spoke to Clement Therme, who is a research fellow for Iran at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He’s based in Bahrain where he helps analyse Iran’s political trajectory.

Jaksot(476)

What’s stalling phase two of the Gaza ceasefire?

What’s stalling phase two of the Gaza ceasefire?

Two months have passed since a ceasefire was announced in Gaza, but the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan has yet to materialise. The uncertainty has left Gazans anxious that t...

12 Joulu 202520min

One year since Assad’s fall: Where is Syria today?

One year since Assad’s fall: Where is Syria today?

A year has passed since Bashar Al Assad’s government fell in Syria, marking the end of a brutal civil war that lasted for almost 14 years. In the end, it took less than two weeks last December for an ...

5 Joulu 202533min

Is US pressure finally forcing Israel to address settler violence?

Is US pressure finally forcing Israel to address settler violence?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a cabinet meeting this month to discuss settler violence, but this sudden interest stands in stark contrast to years of inaction by the state. Settler ...

28 Marras 202516min

How Israel is obstructing reconstruction in Lebanon

How Israel is obstructing reconstruction in Lebanon

Israel has bombed Lebanon on an almost daily basis over the past year, despite a ceasefire being in place. Its army claims to be attacking Hezbollah, accusing the group of re-arming. But civilian infr...

21 Marras 202521min

What will it take to end the civil war in Sudan?

What will it take to end the civil war in Sudan?

When the Sudanese city of El Fasher fell to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in late October, the group gained control of the entire Darfur region and areas to the south-west. Their rivals, the S...

12 Marras 202519min

Why voters are snubbing Iraq’s election

Why voters are snubbing Iraq’s election

Iraqis are going back to polls this month for the sixth time since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein more than 20 years ago. It is expected to be one of the most contested elections yet....

7 Marras 202522min

Superpower rivalry and geopolitics in Trump 2.0

Superpower rivalry and geopolitics in Trump 2.0

How does the superpower rivalry between the US and China dictate international relations more broadly? And what does it mean for the future of trade, security and development? How does the superpower ...

3 Marras 202538min

What’s happening behind Israel’s yellow line in Gaza?

What’s happening behind Israel’s yellow line in Gaza?

Under US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan, a yellow line has been traced along the inside of the enclave's land borders. It designates more than half of Gaza as territory controlled by Isr...

31 Loka 202520min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-podme-livebox
viisupodi
rss-asiastudio
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
otetaan-yhdet
rikosmyytit
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
linda-maria
the-ulkopolitist
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
popcorn-with-esko
rss-pykalien-takaa
rss-polikulaari-humanisti-vastaa-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-50100-podcast