Strategic Assessment

Maritime choke points are among the most sensitive locations where geography, trade, and politics meet. This article discusses the strategic value of three significant maritime choke points in the Middle East: the Straits of Hormuz, both ends of the Red Sea, and the Turkish Straits. These choke points are of particular concern because their rising importance in the global energy market is matched by a parallel rise in the volatility of some of the states surrounding them. The authors review the threats to these locations in light of strategic developments in the region, and suggest how these threats might be addressed.