The disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has demonstrated the danger of relying heavily on a single maritime corridor. But the problem extends beyond Hormuz. Ongoing insecurity in the Red Sea and Black Sea means that several routes carrying the world’s energy, food, and goods are under pressure at the same time. When… Continue reading Maritime Disruptions Are Creating a New Economics of Connectivity

In its September/October issue, Foreign Affairs published two different interpretations of the region’s future: “The End of the American Middle East,” by Marc Lynch, and “The New Old Middle East,” by F. Gregory Gause III. These perspectives have implications beyond the immediate impact of today’s confrontations. Has the order that governed the Middle East since… Continue reading In Search of a New Order: Arab Options and Gulf Security

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement—recently renamed the Mecca Defense Alliance—has quickly moved from a political declaration to an operational test. On October 5, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye agreed to implement their collective-defense commitments and prepare the rapid deployment of agreed forces and capabilities to the Saudi Kingdom. The decision came amid escalating attacks from… Continue reading Can Pakistan Navigate the Mecca Agreement’s First Critical Test?