Washington Post Interviews Somali President

 The Washington Post published on 31 January 2025 an interview titled "President of Somalia: Trump Must Help Defeat Global Terrorism" with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud interviewed by Lally Weymouth.

In remarks aimed at the Trump administration, President Hassan Sheikh urged the United States not to recognize an independent Somaliland, continue its assistance to defeat the al-Shabaab terrorist organization, and take note of the connection between al-Shabaab and the Houthi rebels in Yemen who have been disrupting Red Sea shipping.

Shipping Companies Hesitant to Return to Red Sea

 The New York Times published on 24 January 2025 an article titled "More Ships May Return to the Red Sea If Houthis Hold Their Fire" by Peter Eavis.

The Houthis have signaled that they have suspended attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, but shipping lines say they will return only when they are convinced their vessels will not be attacked.

Responding to Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Shipping

 The Atlantic Council published on 14 January 2025 a commentary titled "China Is Supporting the Houthis.  Here's How the Trump Administration Can Respond" by Tuvia Gering and Jason M. Brodsky.

Chinese-linked ships stand out as being able to transit the Red Sea unimpeded by Houthi attacks.  China is Iran's largest customer for exported oil and Iran is the most important supporter of the Houthis.  China has not used its leverage over Iran and the Houthis to end their Red Sea attacks on international shipping.  The article suggests why and offers recommendations for the Trump administration to counter the Houthis.  

Lull in Houthi Red Sea Attacks

 Seatrade Maritime News published on 14 January 2025 an article titled "Over One Month since Last Confirmed Red Sea Attack on Shipping" by Gary Howard.

The last confirmed Houthi attack on Red Sea shipping took place on 10 December.  This has been the quietest period for Houthi attacks since they began in late 2023.  The likely explanation is the reduced availability of suitable targets and the military intervention by the United States and United Kingdom. 

The Red Sea Campaign against the Houthi Rebels Is Not Working

 Foreign Policy published on 6 January 2025 an article titled "The Houthis Are Undeterred" by Beth Sanner and Jennifer Kavanagh.

The US is burning through billions of dollars' worth of production of scarce munitions to combat the continuing Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping using cheap drones and missiles.  Washington may be spending as much as $570 million per month on a mission that has had limited success.  

China Reportedly Providing Houthis with Weapons

 The Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies published on 2 January 2025 an article titled "China Arming Houthi Rebels in Yemen in Exchange for Unimpeded Red Sea Passage."

US intelligence sources reportedly revealed that the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are using Chinese-made weapons for their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea in exchange for allowing Chinese vessels to pass freely.  

Houthi Attacks on Shipping and Counter Measures

 The US Naval Institute News published on 2 January 2025 an article titled "Top Stories 2024: The Battle Between the Houthis and Commercial Shipping" by Heather Mongilio.

This is a review of Houthi attacks during 2024 on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and efforts by the United States and United Kingdom to bring them to an end.  

Impact of Red Sea Crisis on Chinese Investment in Djibouti

 The South China Morning Post published on 28 December 2024 an article titled "China's Faith in Djibouti Is Paying Off, But Could Red Sea Crisis Muddy the Waters?" by Enoch Wong.

The article notes that Chinese investments in Djibouti are generally profitable, but continuing Yemen-based Houth attacks on Red Sea shipping raise questions concerning the future of trade through Djibouti.  A Houthi-created crisis that continues for an extended period of time could have negative consequences for Chinese investments in the region.

China Seeks to Improve Security in the Gulf of Guinea

 The South China Morning Post published on 29 December 2024 an article titled "In Africa's Gulf of Guinea, China Is Proving It Is Master of the Sea" by Jevans Nyabiage.  

China is paying increasing attention to security in the Gulf of Guinea where its shipping interests have been subject to attack and littoral African countries have requested assistance in preventing attacks on international shipping.  This is also in China's long-term interest to extend its military influence in the region.  

Yemen's Houthi Rebels Expand Ties into Horn of Africa

 The CTC Sentinel published in December 2024 an analysis titled "Looking West: The Houthis' Expanding Footprint in the Horn of Africa" by Michael Horton.  

The Yemen-based Houthi rebels are solidifying ties with al-Shabaab and arms smugglers that operate in Somalia and Puntland.  The Houthis are also improving their relations with al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula, which is aligned with al-Shabaab.  

Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Shipping in 2025

 The Washington Institute for Near East Policy published on 16 December 2024 an analysis titled "Houthi Shipping Attacks: Patterns and Expectations for 2025" by Noam Raydan and Farzin Nadimi. 

A ceasefire in Gaza could pave the way for a diplomatic solution to the Houthi Red Sea crisis.  On the other hand, a tough policy towards Iran by the Trump administration could result in more attacks on commercial shipping in the region.  

US Seeks Tougher Measures against Yemen's Houthi Rebels

 The Guardian published on 16 December 2024 an article titled "US Seeks Stronger UN Powers to Intercept Red Sea Shipments to Yemen's Houthis" by Patrick Wintour.  

The United States is seeking global support to give the UN clearer powers to interdict ships in the Red Sea heading for Houthi-controlled Yemen ports in an effort to weaken their ability to conduct attacks on international shipping.  The US is also considering redesignating the Houthis as a terrorist group.  

Impact on Shipping of Houthi Red Sea Attacks

 The Italian Institute for International Political Studies published on 24 November 2024 a paper titled "Blue Economy and the Mediterranean: How the Red Sea Crisis is Shaping the Region's Maritime Future (and What Is Next)" by Mario Mattioli.

Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping reduced transit through the Suez Canal by about 50 percent in 2023 and 70 percent in the first half of 2024.  Transit around Africa's Cape of Good Hope adds 3,000 to 3,500 nautical miles to voyages connecting Europe and Asia, increasing travel time by about 10 days.  This results in higher costs for fuel, wages, insurance, and freight borne by shipping companies.

Video on Houthi Red Sea Attacks

 India's News9 posted on 15 November 2024 a two-minute video titled "Red Sea Tensions: Houthis Attack US Destroyers, Face Retaliation; 10 Killed."  

The video summarizes video coverage of Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, including the recent unsuccessful attack on two US destroyers.  

Russia Helps Houthi Rebels with Attacks on Red Sea Shipping

 Foreign Policy posted on 7 November 2024 an article titled "Russia Is Running an Undeclared War on Western Shipping" by Elisabeth Braw.  

Russia has been providing Yemen's Houthi rebels with targeting information for their attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.  The Houthis exempt from attack ships affiliated with Russia and China.  

An Analysis of China's Approach to the Red Sea Crisis

 The 2024 fall edition of Middle East Policy contains an article titled "Security in Neutrality: Chinese Engagement in the Middle East and the Red Sea Crisis" by Christopher K. Colley and Joshua R. Goodman, both at the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base.

The authors conclude that the primary goal of China in the Red Sea crisis is to use diplomacy to avoid escalation and entanglement in military conflict.  Its second preference is to free ride on the efforts of others.  If there are clear dangers to Chinese nationals or economic interests, it is prepared to respond militarily.  

Challenges Houthis Pose for New US Administration in Red Sea

 The Middle East Eye published on 4 November 2024 an article titled "US Elections 2024: Can the Next US President Roll Back the Houthis' Power in the Red Sea?" by Sean Mathews.  

The article provides a good analysis of the challenges facing the next US administration as it deals with the Houthi threat to international shipping in the Red Sea.

Egypt Linked to Horn of Africa Challenges

 World Politics Review published on 31 October 2024 a commentary titled "Egypt's Future Increasingly Passes Through the Horn of Africa" by Francisco Serrano.  

With both its water resources from upstream Nile River countries such as Ethiopia and Suez Canal revenue now dependent on events in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea, this region has become a strategic focus for Egypt.  

Indian Ocean Security and US Strategy

 The East-West Center published on 18 October 2024 a bulletin titled "Connecting West and East: Indian Ocean Security and the US Indo-Pacific Strategy" by Nilanthi Samaranayake.  

Washington appears to be increasingly recognizing the importance of the western Indian Ocean, suggesting that it may be starting to conceive of the Indian Ocean as a region on its own terms.  

Arms from UAE and Iran Fuel Civil War in Sudan

 The Washington Post published on 15 October 2024 an article titled "Sudan's Civil War Fueled by Arms Shipments from UAE and Iran" by Katharine Houreld and Hafiz Haroun.  

In spite of a UN arms embargo, the UAE continues to supply arms to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces while Iran does the same for the Sudan Armed Forces.