U.S. Aircraft Carriers on the Red Sea
Diplomacy & Security
Somaliland, Somalia, and the Red Sea Rivalries
Regional Affairs Desk
The Red Sea is becoming one of the world’s most contested waters, as global and regional powers compete for influence. From the United States and China to Turkey, the UAE, and Egypt, the region has become a geopolitical chessboard.
Somaliland’s unrecognized but strategic position gives it both opportunities and risks. Its partnerships with Ethiopia, the UAE, and Taiwan highlight a bold diplomatic strategy, while Somalia continues to insist on a “One Somalia” policy that excludes Somaliland from international forums.
Observers note that Somaliland’s stability, democratic governance, and location give it leverage that few others in the region can match. The challenge is to balance strategic partnerships while safeguarding sovereignty and avoiding entanglement in external rivalries.
