Research Team - Washington Institute For Defence & Security

09 Feb 24

The Limitations of China’s Role in Curbing Iran: A Realistic Assessment

The Biden administration has devised a new tactic in its increasingly desperate attempts to dissuade the Houthis, the Yemeni rebels who are currently endangering maritime trade in the Red Sea: pleading with Beijing for assistance. Senior White House officials have urged China’s government to intervene on behalf of the Houthis with their primary geopolitical backer, […]

07 Feb 24

US Urges Nairobi To Join Anti-Houthi Campaign As East African Peers Exercise Caution

Over the last two weeks, Nairobi has played home to high-ranking US intelligence and defense officials, such as William Burns, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and General Michael Langley, the commander of Africa Command (Africom). The administration remained silent regarding the results of their travels, but they did result in promises of […]

05 Feb 24

NATO Allies Unite: Supporting US Efforts to Minimize Iran’s Threat to the Middle East

During a joint news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Soltenberg on Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US will hold Iran accountable and take firm action against any aggression. “At the same time, we remain focused on our core objectives in the region, both in terms of the conflict in Gaza […]

02 Feb 24

Europe And NATO Face Escalating Tensions As Russian Invasion Fears Grow

The fall of the Soviet Union was often referred to as “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century” by Russian President Vladimir V. Putin. Not many people anticipated that he would take action in 2005. Then, however, followed Russia’s 2008 seizure of South Ossetia and Abkhazia from Georgia, its annexation of Crimea in 2014, […]

30 Jan 24

Explainer: Who Is On Radar of Houthis in Red Sea?

With repeated attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the US and the UK launched several strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen. The Houthis are a rebel organization that is supported by Iran and views Israel as an adversary. Drones and missiles fired at Israel were launched by the Houthis in reaction to the conflict […]

29 Jan 24

UN General Secretary Warns of Terrorism Surge in Africa

Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, stressed the critical need to stop the spread of terrorism in Africa, calling the situation a “clear and present danger” to both the continent and the rest of the world. In a speech at the Global Counter-Terrorism Compact conference held at the UN headquarters in New York, […]

27 Jan 24

Sudan’s Strategic Significance: A Key Player in the Battle For The Red Sea

Since last April, Sudan has been plunged into conflict. This conflict might escalate into a full-fledged civil war, which would have a significant impact on international trade. Vital resources such as chromite, gold, iron, uranium, and zinc are abundant in Sudan. Additionally, it is home to two significant Red Sea ports, Port Sudan and Port […]