Once a vital route for global trade, the Red Sea has become a flashpoint in a growing geopolitical storm. Since late 2023, Houthi rebels backing Gaza have disrupted shipping lanes, prompting the US and the UK to increase military patrols.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in January 2025 offered a glimmer of hope, but tensions remain high. With attacks, rerouted vessels, and rising costs, the Red Sea’s choppy waters reflect the broader instability shaping today’s global power plays, and the ripple effects are felt worldwide.
As global tensions simmer and trade routes shift, the Red Sea crisis isn’t just a regional issue: it’s a window into the future of global power struggles. Click through this gallery to understand what’s at stake, and who’s shaping the tides.