Observation: American supply interests could very well be next in line for the Houthis' imposed transit restrictions

Observation: American supply interests could very well be next in line for
the Houthis’ imposed transit restrictions
Dr. Aaron Lerner 12 December 2023

In the absence of a serious international response to Houthi actions against
vessels, we have seen Zim and others with services to Israel diverting
vessels from the direct route via the Suez Canal to more than doubling
transit times by going around Africa.

It would be a mistake to think that this will satisfy the Houthis and their
Iranian sponsors.

The damage only encourages extending the sanctions to others with
ever-increasing demands.

And direct American supply interests could very well be next in line for the
Houthis’ imposed transit restrictions.

All-water service from the Far East and India to the USA East and Gulf Coast
relies on the Suez Canal to economically reach the Atlantic via the Straits
of Gibraltar.

The alternative of the Panama Canal is essentially irrelevant due to the
drought, which has already slashed the capacity of the Canal.

The remaining expensive alternative of using rail service from the USA West
Coast ports to the Gulf area and East Coast has limited capacity.

Some suggest that China would intervene in such a scenario to demonstrate a
new leadership position in the world.

A “Chinese solution,” however, might mean providing China with dangerously
powerful levers to use against the West in future conflicts.

Is the West acting like the proverbial frog in the pot of water being heated
to the boiling point?
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