The ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran has brought attention to the strategic importance of international waterways, particularly the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. Iran has been trying to control navigation through the Strait of Hormuz since the spring of 2026 as a means of exerting pressure on the US and Israel. In response to the US naval blockade, Tehran has also targeted the Bab el-Mandeb waterway through its ally, the Houthis, in Yemen. These developments highlight the intensifying contest for control over maritime routes vital to international navigation.
The significance of international waterways dates back to ancient times, with the Greeks and Phoenicians recognizing their importance. However, it was the Age of Discovery that made the Atlantic and Indian oceans major routes for international trade. Colonial empires sought to establish military control over the seas to maintain secure links with their colonies, secure wealth, and transport goods. The wealth beneath the seas, including fish, rare plants, oil, and gas, has also become a point of interest as technology advances.
The theoretical foundations for understanding the role of seas and oceans in strategic studies and geopolitics began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Alfred Thayer Mahan's theory of "sea power" argued that control of the seas was key to global dominance. Halford Mackinder's "Heartland" theory focused on land power, but acknowledged the struggle between land and sea power as the driving force of history. Nicholas Spykman's modifications to Mackinder's theory emphasized the importance of controlling international maritime routes and straits.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, signed in 1982, represented significant progress in international relations, but did not end disputes and conflicts over seas and oceans. Disputes involving international maritime routes and straits extend beyond the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb to the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea. The Suez and Panama canals are also crucial waterways with long histories of struggle for national control.
The Suez Canal, dug by one million Egyptian workers between 1859 and 1869, is a prime example of a vital international waterway. Ownership of the canal company passed into foreign hands due to Egypt's growing indebtedness. The late Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel-Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company in 1956, securing Egypt's exclusive ownership of the canal. The canal remained closed for eight years between 1967 and 1975.
The importance of international waterways extends beyond the ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran. It must be considered within the broader strategic context of relations among states, in both war and peace. The security of global supply chains, the transport of goods, and the exploitation of resources beneath the seas are all critical concerns.
As global dynamics continue to shift, the strategic importance of international waterways will remain a pressing issue. The international community must navigate the complex web of interests and alliances surrounding these waterways to ensure the free flow of trade and energy supplies. The ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb are a reminder of the need for continued dialogue and cooperation.
Key points
- The control of international waterways is a critical aspect of global geopolitics, with implications for trade, energy supplies, and national security.
- The Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb are vital international waterways crucial for global trade and energy supplies.
- The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has not ended disputes and conflicts over seas and oceans, highlighting the need for continued international cooperation.
