The International Crisis Group posted on 29 June 2026 a 41-minute podcast titled "The Scramble for the Red Sea Is Not Cooling Down" by Alan Boswell with Federico Donelli, University of Trieste and author of a new book on the topic.
The scramble for control in the Red Sea region began during the Cold War and increased in intensity in the 21st century. There are now many new actors in the Red Sea. Middle powers have become as significant as major powers.
Russia has been seeking, so far without success, a military base in the region for years. China established a military base in Djibouti to protect its interests in the region and to extend global power. The Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, have become much more engaged in the Red Sea.
The US/Israeli war against Iran has underscored the importance of the Red Sea for international shipping. The European Union is the one grouping that should be more engaged in the region than it is.
