Afkār is a publication of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, providing short-form analyses, insights, and perspectives on regional issues and developments from the Council's experts and outside contributors. Afkār is published in English and Arabic, and is edited by Omar H. Rahman.
Contact us at afkar@mecouncil.org.
Ahmet Erdi Öztürk
Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at London Metropolitan University
Bio
Ahmet Erdi Öztürk is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at London Metropolitan University.
As conflict puts multiple maritime routes under pressure at once, the value of infrastructure is no longer measured by efficiency alone. Pipelines, railways and roads are increasingly important for the redundancy they provide when established trade routes fail.
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have presented an early test for the joint defense pact signed over the summer. But turning a political declaration into an operational security arrangement may take years of careful development.