Have you read: The Red Sea crisis proves China was ahead of the curve

This week's essential reads [VIEW IN BROWSER]( Mahmoud Khaled/AFP via Getty Images ANALYSIS [The Red Sea Crisis Proves China Was Ahead of the Curve]( The Belt and Road Initiative wasn’t a sinister plot. It was a blueprint for what every nation needs in an age of uncertainty and disruption. Over the past two months, a sudden surge in Houthi rebel attacks in the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea prompted the world’s largest shipping carriers to halt transit through the Suez Canal for several weeks—with even more [rerouting]( their vessels as the United States and Britain launched strikes on Yemen and the situation has escalated. As ships loiter in the Mediterranean or Arabian weighing their options, others are busily bypassing the strait entirely. In mid-December, Saudi Arabia quickly gave its blessing to forming a “land bridge” from the Arabian to the Mediterranean by which goods docking in Persian Gulf ports such as Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates or Mina Salman in Bahrain could [transit its territory]( via truck to Israel’s Haifa Port. You read that correctly. Hamas’s horrific Oct. 7 attack on Israel not only failed to scupper the Abraham Accords, but despite Saudi Arabia and the UAE strongly supporting a two-state solution to the conflict, both are accelerating their infrastructure cooperation with Israel in order to cope with maritime disruptions—and of course to collect transit fees that would normally flow into [Egypt’s coffers](. Even better for boosters of [overland]( transport, the Gulf-Israel corridor shaves ten days off the Red Sea maritime route. Continue reading this article on Foreign Policy. Get every geopolitical story that matters when you [subscribe.]( [CONTINUE READING](   The world, at your fingertips. [Save up to 50% on annual plans.](.   Discover More from FP [A U.S. military convoy takes part in a joint patrol with Turkish troops near the Syrian town of Tell Abyad along the border with Turkey, on Sept. 8, 2019.]( [America Is Planning to Withdraw From Syria—and Create a Disaster]( The Islamic State has regained its momentum, and the Biden administration might inadvertently give it another boost. By Charles Lister [Space Isn’t the Final Frontier]( Mars fantasists still cling to dreams of the Old West. By Zach and Kelly Weinersmith [The container ship Maersk Bogor passes through the Miraflores locks while transiting the Panama Canal on Sept. 22, 2023.]( [The Panama Canal Is Running Dry]( Climate extremes are wreaking havoc on global shipping. By Mie Hoejris Dahl [Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te cheers with his delegation onstage during a campaign rally in Yilan, Taiwan, on Dec. 21, 2023.]( [What Is Taiwan’s New President Going to Do About China?]( Polling data indicates the public is split over the future of the island and the threat of annexation. By Timothy S. Rich [America Is Planning to Withdraw From Syria—and Create a Disaster]( The Islamic State has regained its momentum, and the Biden administration might inadvertently give it another boost. By Charles Lister [Space Isn’t the Final Frontier]( Mars fantasists still cling to dreams of the Old West. By Zach and Kelly Weinersmith [The Panama Canal Is Running Dry]( Climate extremes are wreaking havoc on global shipping. By Mie Hoejris Dahl [What Is Taiwan’s New President Going to Do About China?]( Polling data indicates the public is split over the future of the island and the threat of annexation. By Timothy S. Rich [Ian Bremmer on the Top Risks for 2024]( AI. Rogue leaders. Climate change. Global inflation. How can the world prepare for these challenges? Join FP for a live discussion on Jan. 29 with Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer. [REGISTER NOW](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( Want to receive FP newsletters? [Manage]( your FP newsletter preferences. [MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES]( | [VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Reach the [right online audience]( with us. [Foreign Policy]( is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2023 Graham Digital Holding Company LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005.