War and geopolitics are threatening a foundation of global trade: free access to the world’s oceans. Open
seas and a spirit of cooperation, even among competing nations like the
U.S. and China, fueled decades of economic growth. The WSJ’s Drew
Hinshaw and Daniel Michaels write that that may be ending as rising geopolitical tensions and a dearth of strong navies
among the world’s richest countries limits who can sail through major
shipping routes. Houthi rebels are allowing Chinese- and Russian-linked
ships to access the Suez Canal while attacking other vessels. [Note the misleading, propagandistic description of the Houthi policy of obstructing vessels bound for or connected to Israel and those of naval powers like the UK and US that support the Israeli atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank] Piracy is
returning to the Horn of Africa, and China is asserting control over
parts of the South China Sea traditionally viewed as
international waters. China has a formidable navy. But navies of other
powers suffer from decades of underinvestment. The U.S. Navy has 300
ships, down from 7,000 at the end of the Second World War.
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