Whenever the Biden administration leaves office, the world would have a huge sigh of relief. After all, the world could be a better place to live since then there would be no fear of WW3. Now, the Suez Canal, a symbol of global trade, may soon be witness to the beginning of a devastating third world war. Thanks to, you know who….
For the countries of the Middle East, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal are of utmost importance due to their strategic location as well as their economic significance. Oil, goods, and people can be transported more easily thanks to the Red Sea, a crucial trade route between the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It is home to some of the busiest ports in the world and serves as a vital link between the Arabian Peninsula and the continent of Africa.
Equally important is the Suez Canal, which links the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Bypassing the lengthy and dangerous journey around the southern tip of Africa, it provides a quicker and more practical trade route between Europe and Asia.
As a result, it is a critical component of global trade and commerce, handling approximately 10% of the world’s maritime trade. The importance of these waterways cannot be overstated, especially for countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, whose economies rely heavily on trade. Any disruptions in their operations could have severe consequences, impacting global trade and economic stability, and Biden knows this very information by heart.
Recently, an event of important significance has taken place in the Middle East. The two well-known rivals have conjoined. Iran and Saudi Arabia, two of the largest oil-producing rivals in the Middle East, have put an end to their decades-long feud by resolving their differences. The nations have agreed to restore ties and reopen embassies, seven years after their relations were severed.
Interestingly, the accord was reached following a meeting in Beijing, mediated by China. A joint statement issued by both countries affirmed their decision to restart diplomatic relations and reopen embassies within two months. This marks a significant turning point in the politics of the Middle East, which has long been dominated by the Saudi Arabia-Iran conflict.
Moreover, in this equation, Syria also appears to have settled its score and come back into existence. Assad’s exile and isolation have ended. This eventually means that the Middle East’s three big guns are emerging as an existential threat to the oil game.
Though this reset is yet to show its real results, it makes no difference to Uncle Joe, who is emerging as a nasty party spoiler. What he is about to do could lead the whole world into chaos with diplomatic relations being severed and the course ahead being the bloodshed that could turn the world upside down, and that is a possible WW3 with the Suez Canal and the Red Sea being the bone of contention.
Biden blocking Suez Canal and the Red Sea!
In a media report by the Middle East Monitor, it was revealed that the USS Florida, an American nuclear guided-missile submarine, departed from the Mediterranean Sea and sailed through the Suez Canal to enter the Red Sea on Friday. The submarine was seen equipped with a dry shelter for special operations underwater vehicles, as depicted in a released image capturing its journey through the canal. This captivating scene highlights the advanced military capabilities of the submarine as it joins the US Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain. Adding to the military deployment, CNN reported on March 31st that a squadron of A-10 attack aircraft will be deployed to the region.
The Pentagon spokesman, Phil Ventura, explained that the George H W Bush Carrier Strike Group was ordered to remain in the Middle East to support US forces in Central Command. The US has justified the deployment of its forces and bolstering its military presence in the Middle East as a response to alleged Iranian attacks on American targets in the region.
Meanwhile, Pentagon is speaking an entirely different story. Reportedly, Pentagon has stressed that the deployment is necessary to stop the expansion of ISIS Deash. Amidst the political turbulence in the Middle East, a discordant melody plays between the United States and its adversaries. The US military has augmented its presence in the region, citing alleged Iranian attacks on American targets as the cause. Yet, the Pentagon strums a different tune, emphasizing the necessity of preventing the expansion of ISIS Daesh.
“We are committed to supporting the defeat-ISIS [Daesh] mission alongside a global coalition in Syria and prepared to respond to a range of contingencies in the Middle East if needed,” the Pentagon stated in a deployment announcement.
Despite the United States’ said intentions, Syrian and Iranian officials have expressed their discontent over the situation. Syrian officials have accused the US of deploying naval ships to steal their oil reserves for personal gain. Reports have claimed that US forces have smuggled stolen Syrian oil and wheat to bases in neighboring Iraq.
Energy World relayed that the Syrian Oil Ministry has stated that the US forces have been siphoning off Syria’s oil production, causing $107.1 billion in losses to the country’s oil and gas sector.
The grand deployment of naval vessels by the United States is a momentous event that has captured the attention of the world. Yet, beyond its sheer significance lies a deeper realization – the US is steadfastly striving to regulate these vital sea lanes, that too, in a not so appropriate manner.
The Blockade
The Suez Canal and the Red Sea are critical shipping routes that connect Asia, Europe, and Africa. They serve as the shortest sea link between the East and the West, facilitating the transportation of essential goods such as oil and natural gas. The blockade of these routes can severely disrupt global trade and cause economic turmoil.
Now the United States has its sights set on the Suez Canal, a key waterway that connects the East and West and is diligently working towards its strategic interests in the region. In the Horn of Africa, the US has imposed sanctions on Eritrea and attempted to influence the government through its proxies, but to no avail.
With the recent upheavals in the Middle East, the US is well aware that its interests in the region are in peril. In a display of strength, a naval blockade has been initiated to assert American power. However, President Biden’s actions may prove to be a sweet recipe for disaster. A blockade of the Suez Canal simply implies global trade collapse and incites massive unrest. The consequences of such an event would be rather severe for many.
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The WW3 chance
A potential blockade of the Suez Canal by the United States could have severe repercussions for nations like Iran, the European Union, and even India, leaving them restless and angry. Transporting products between Europe and Asia without having to go across Africa has been made possible by the Suez Canal, a crucial economic route that links the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Global trade would be significantly impacted by any interruption to the canal’s traffic flow, especially for nations that largely rely on these waterways for imports and exports.
Iran, for instance, primarily relies on the Suez Canal. An embargo would seriously harm the nation’s economy, which is already suffering as a result of international sanctions. Whereas, the European Union would also be significantly impacted as a major importer and exporter of goods through the canal. A disruption to the flow of trade would cause severe economic losses and could lead to an increase in prices for goods, impacting consumers across the continent and exacerbating the economic crisis even more.
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, would also be affected by any blockade of the Suez Canal. The country relies on the canal to transport crude oil from the Middle East, and a disruption to the flow of traffic would cause a significant increase in transportation costs.
All in all, such a move by the US could be seen as an attempt to assert its dominance in the region, provoking a response from Russia, which has its own strategic interests in the Middle East. The ensuing tensions could trigger an escalation in wider conflict and lead to a broader global crisis.
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A Global trade disruption could lead to a wider WW3 with everyone turning against the USA for its actions. Biden’s mad dash to global hegemony is about to result in a global trade disruption, and with their clout decreasing by the minute, it’s only a matter of time before the world is plunged into World War Three.
All fingers will point to the US for its actions, though the fact of the matter is that Biden and his team have gone completely and utterly bonkers. The US should be careful, lest it falls into the same trap they set for itself. The consequences of their actions could be dire and the world may never truly recover. For now, all we can do is hope that Biden and the US can come to their senses before it’s too late, but given the circumstances, the mere thought would appear as naïve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2kCZ29ZKwo