Maritime strategy

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

Latest News

Analysis

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

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.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

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

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)

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

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

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

JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

Three main disagreements constrain Turkey-Greece ties following Mitsotakis visit

TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/AFP via Getty Images

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.

Turkish air force fighter jets perform a military parade over the Bosphorus as Camlica mosque is seen in the background to mark the 100th anniversary of Turkish Republic in Istanbul on Oct. 29, 2023.

As wars rage, Turkey's military industry sees boom in fighter jets, drone sectors

While the MMU Kaan that is slated to become Turkey’s first stealthy fifth-generation fighter is taking baby steps, other key Turkish military aviation projects have also begun attracting international attention.

An Iranian Navy vessel participates in Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps special forces military drill in the Gulf of Oman at an undisclosed location near Iranian southern port town of Bandar-e Jask on Thursday, April 6, 2006.

Iran conducts naval drills with missile-corvette amid Gulf maritime tensions

Several leading warships and speedboats were shown off in the Persian Gulf exercise, accompanied by fresh warning messages, only two weeks after the Islamic Republic directly targeted Israel with hundreds of drones and missiles.

In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, suspected pirates indicate their surrender with a white cloth on the bow of the Japanese-owned commercial oil tanker M/V Guanabara March 6, 2011 in the Arabian Sea.

Analysis

Why Houthi Red Sea attacks could inspire more piracy in Indian Ocean

Since November, more than 20 pirate hijackings have taken place in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin, adding to the current financial burden on shipping companies.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Iranian Navy boats take part in maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz, Jan. 3, 2012.

Are Iran-Russia-China naval drills 'symbolic' or security tilt to East?

While this marked the fifth consecutive year the three nations held joint naval exercises, current regional dynamics lent this edition "much deeper symbolism" than a routine drill.

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard boats attack a naval vessel during a three-day military drill in the Gulf on April 22, 2010.

Iran, Russia, China conduct new military drills, defying Western pressure

The exercise brought together the three countries' lead warships for the stated purpose of bolstering maritime security, while Tehran-backed Yemeni rebels continued to target international navigation in the wake of the Gaza war.

The Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Laramie (T-AO 203) and the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conduct a replenishment-at-sea.

US Navy plans for smaller fleet amid spending caps despite Middle East crisis

Facing budget caps and new procurement delays, the Navy is poised to reduce the overall size of its fleet even as attacks by Iran and its proxies in Yemen have led to unprecedented disruptions of commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Washington Pulse

TOPSHOT - Reporters ask questions as Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov holds a press conference following his address to the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 23, 2023. Western powers through their support to Ukraine have effectively entered direct war against Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Saturday. "You can call it anything you want, but they are fighting with us, they are straight-up fighting with us. We call it a hybrid war,

Lavrov to visit Turkey as Erdogan seeks new Black Sea mechanism with Russia

The Turkish president unveiled the efforts to set up a new safety regulation ahead of the top Russian diplomat’s visit.

Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, speaks to the crew over the 1MC aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85).

Interview

Yemen’s Houthis undeterred by strikes, senior US Navy commander says

In an exclusive interview, the US Navy’s top commander in the Middle East leveled with Al-Monitor about what the current campaign against the Houthis has achieved, saying diplomatic pressure could ultimately get the Iran-backed rebels to halt their brazen attacks on international commercial shipping.

George Wikoff

With George Wikoff

Commander of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet

The Indian Navy frigate INS Satpura (F48) is underway with the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) during Exercise Malabar 2012.

Iran participates in Indian naval drill amid Red Sea tensions

India recently deployed warships near the troubled body of water amid attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on ships.

A ship transits the Suez Canal toward the Red Sea on Jan. 10, 2024, in Ismailia, Egypt.

Analysis

How Red Sea crisis is battering Egypt's manufacturing, textile industries

The Suez Canal is a cornerstone of the Egytian economy, providing a vital source of foreign currency for the cash-strapped country.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Ed Ram/Getty Images

Turkey confirms Somalia maritime security deal amid Somaliland tensions

Somalia ratified a defense cooperation agreement signed with Turkey earlier this month that would see Ankara help Mogadishu secure its maritime interests.