The Houthis’ campaign against maritime traffic in the southern Red Sea shone a spotlight on an often overlooked but critical region. But while the wholesale diversion of global shipping from the Red Sea since early 2024 attracted global attention, few focused on the continuing build out of military bases and commercial assets by a host of foreign powers in the region.
The Houthi campaign is now on hold, yet recent events show that tensions continue to simmer on both flanks of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Indeed, the effective neutering of Iran’s overseas influence by Israel in 2025 has fundamentally altered the balance of power, and new signs of friction are emerging as regional players readjust. (CONTINUED - 1065 WORDS)
