Latest news with #tradeRoutes
LBCI
3 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
From Gaza to Ukraine: Are global trade corridors fueling deeper rivalries?
Report by Toni Mrad, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Do you know what's behind the war in Gaza? Or the reason for the conflict between Ukraine and Russia? Some observers trace these wars back to a global rivalry between two competing trade initiatives: one led by China—the 'Silk Road'—and the other backed by the United States—the 'India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor.' At first glance, this analysis may seem unconventional. But some argue that many of the wars and conflicts unfolding around the world today are tied to a deeper struggle over trade routes and economic influence among major powers. To break it down: there are two key global trade projects. The first is China's Silk Road, formally launched in 2013 as the Belt and Road Initiative. It's a vast economic and strategic plan aimed at linking China to Europe via Asia and the Middle East. The second is the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, which was formally introduced during the 2023 G20 summit. This initiative seeks to establish a trade corridor connecting India to the Gulf and Europe through the Middle East. But is it accurate to say that many of today's wars are connected to the rivalry between these two trade routes? Take Gaza, for example. The war didn't erupt directly because of this rivalry, but the conflict became an indirect factor in Israel's military campaign. Put another way, the war in Gaza effectively froze progress on the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor. It became nearly impossible for Saudi Arabia to move forward with normalization or economic cooperation with Israel under current conditions. More broadly, the rivalry between the Chinese and Indian trade corridors helps explain why some countries have backed different sides in the conflict. India supported Israel, a position interpreted as an effort to protect its trade project from derailment. In contrast, China expressed support for the Palestinians—seen by some as an attempt to undermine the Indian corridor in favor of its own Belt and Road Initiative. Another example is the war in Ukraine, which has also disrupted China's Silk Road. The conflict weakened the initiative and forced China to alter its routes. Prior to the war, some Chinese goods passed through Ukraine en route to Europe. That route has been completely halted due to military operations and instability. This disruption created new space for competing projects, including the Indian corridor, to gain ground. Ultimately, when a war breaks out, the geopolitical dimensions—especially those tied to global trade routes—should not be overlooked.
Wall Street Journal
07-07-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
This Bay Is Key to Russia's Militarization of the Arctic
This Bay Is Key to Russia's Militarization of the Arctic As melting sea ice reveals new trade routes, resources and battlegrounds, the Kola Bay is emerging as one of Russia's most powerful hubs in its quest to dominate the Arctic. Photo: Alican Ocak/Anadolu Agency
Al Jazeera
26-06-2025
- General
- Al Jazeera
The Strait of Hormuz is a global pressure point
The Strait of Hormuz is a global pressure point By the Numbers Video Duration 01 minutes 49 seconds 01:49 Video Duration 02 minutes 18 seconds 02:18 Video Duration 01 minutes 51 seconds 01:51 Video Duration 01 minutes 50 seconds 01:50 Video Duration 01 minutes 43 seconds 01:43 Video Duration 01 minutes 44 seconds 01:44 Video Duration 01 minutes 17 seconds 01:17
Fox News
10-06-2025
- Science
- Fox News
Archaeologist uncovers Viking secrets during epic three-year journey at sea
A graduate student in Sweden has been learning about Vikings through an unusual method: He's done it by sailing like one. Archaeologist Greer Jarrett, a doctoral student at Lund University, has navigated over 3,000 miles along historical Viking trade routes in the Arctic Ocean. With the help of his team, the academic has sailed the seas with a reconstructed sailing boat that would have been used by Vikings 1,200 years ago. So what has his research uncovered so far? Among other things, Jarrett has identified four possible Viking harbors along the coast of Norway. Jarrett's research suggests that Vikings ventured farther from Scandinavia than previously thought and used decentralized port networks during their journeys, according to a press release published by Lund University. "In his latest study, he has found evidence of a decentralized network of ports, located on islands and peninsulas, which probably played a central role in trade and travel in the Viking era," the statement added. Due to the type of boats Vikings used, Jarrett said that they likely used small, easily accessible harbors quite often. "With this type of boat, it has to be easy to get in and out of the harbor in all possible wind conditions. There must be several routes in and out." The archaeologist also noted that, while Viking historians know where trade journeys generally started and ended, knowledge about the more informal stops is scant. Jarrett said his research is focused on "what happened on the journeys between these major trading centers." "My hypothesis is that this decentralized network of ports, located on small islands and peninsulas, was central to making trade efficient during the Viking Age," he explained. "Our hands really suffered. At that point, I realized just how crucial it is to have a good crew." He also ran into a few challenges during his three-year journey. In one instance, while 15 miles out to sea, the boat's mast spar broke and sent the mainsail toppling down. "We had to lash two oars together to hold the sail, and hope that it would hold," the student recalled. "We made it back to the harbor safely, but then we had to spend several days repairing the boat before we could sail again." "On another trip, a minke whale suddenly surfaced and flapped its huge tail fin just meters from the boat." Underwater currents and downslope winds also made it difficult for him to navigate near land. Jarrett needed to develop "mental maps" to figure out where to go, as the Vikings did. But he was also pleasantly surprised by other aspects of the journey. Jarrett found that the primitive boats are stable, even without a deep keel, the release indicated. He was also pleasantly surprised by other aspects of the journey. The archaeologist also learned how important relationships were during these voyages, where Vikings had to rely on one another to sail and survive. "You need a boat that can withstand all kinds of weather conditions," he said. "But if you don't have a crew that can cooperate and put up with each other for long periods, these journeys would probably be impossible." "The cold in [Norway's] Lofoten Islands was a challenge," Jarrett said. "Our hands really suffered. At that point, I realized just how crucial it is to have a good crew." The Viking Era lasted from roughly 800 A.D. to 1050 A.D. Remnants of the period are still being found across Europe. Last year, two curious metal detectorists found a 1,000-year-old Viking "wallet." More recently, Swedish archaeologists announced the discovery of an "unusual" Viking-era coffin in April.
