🧵THREAD: How Shipping Chokepoints Rule the World — The Invisible Arteries of Global Power
@ankitatIIMA
@ankitatIIMA
1/
Most people think of wars, alliances, or oil when they hear "geopolitics."
But few realize:
Control over 7 narrow stretches of sea could determine who rules the world.
They're called maritime chokepoints.
Most people think of wars, alliances, or oil when they hear "geopolitics."
But few realize:
Control over 7 narrow stretches of sea could determine who rules the world.
They're called maritime chokepoints.
A chokepoint is a narrow passage that most global trade MUST pass through.
If blocked or militarized, global supply chains collapse.
Prices skyrocket. Countries fall into crisis.
Examples:
Strait of Hormuz
Suez Canal
Malacca Strait
If blocked or militarized, global supply chains collapse.
Prices skyrocket. Countries fall into crisis.
Examples:
Strait of Hormuz
Suez Canal
Malacca Strait
3/
🔒 Strait of Hormuz
Only 21 miles wide
20% of global oil passes through
Iran has missiles pointed at it
U.S. keeps naval ships in the region just in case
Any conflict here → oil prices explode.
🔒 Strait of Hormuz
Only 21 miles wide
20% of global oil passes through
Iran has missiles pointed at it
U.S. keeps naval ships in the region just in case
Any conflict here → oil prices explode.
4/
🔓 Suez Canal (Egypt)
12% of global trade
$10B in daily goods
Blocked once in 2021 (Ever Given ship)
Result?
Global trade lost $400 million/hour
Imagine this during wartime.
🔓 Suez Canal (Egypt)
12% of global trade
$10B in daily goods
Blocked once in 2021 (Ever Given ship)
Result?
Global trade lost $400 million/hour
Imagine this during wartime.
5/
🌊 Malacca Strait
Connects Indian Ocean → Pacific
Most crucial route for China & Japan's energy imports
Only 1.5 miles wide at narrowest
If the U.S. or India block this → China chokes.
🌊 Malacca Strait
Connects Indian Ocean → Pacific
Most crucial route for China & Japan's energy imports
Only 1.5 miles wide at narrowest
If the U.S. or India block this → China chokes.
6/
💡 Now here’s the catch:
These chokepoints are not just about trade.
They're strategic weapons.
Control them, and you control:
War logistics
Global oil prices
Economic pressure without firing a shot
💡 Now here’s the catch:
These chokepoints are not just about trade.
They're strategic weapons.
Control them, and you control:
War logistics
Global oil prices
Economic pressure without firing a shot
7/
🌐 Great powers know this.
That's why:
China is building ports in Pakistan (Gwadar) & Sri Lanka (Hambantota)
U.S. Navy patrols the Persian Gulf
India invests in Andaman & Nicobar military bases
It’s a silent arms race.
🌐 Great powers know this.
That's why:
China is building ports in Pakistan (Gwadar) & Sri Lanka (Hambantota)
U.S. Navy patrols the Persian Gulf
India invests in Andaman & Nicobar military bases
It’s a silent arms race.
8/
🧠 Future wars may not be fought over land.
They’ll be fought over:
Sea lanes
Fiber optic cables
Resource routes
Because whoever controls the flow, controls the world.
🧠 Future wars may not be fought over land.
They’ll be fought over:
Sea lanes
Fiber optic cables
Resource routes
Because whoever controls the flow, controls the world.
9/
And here’s the scary part:
Most of these chokepoints are:
Narrow
Easy to block
Politically unstable regions
Which means a small conflict can cause a global chain reaction.
And here’s the scary part:
Most of these chokepoints are:
Narrow
Easy to block
Politically unstable regions
Which means a small conflict can cause a global chain reaction.
10/
In the age of drones, naval mines, and cyberattacks…
a single blockade or sabotage can cripple an entire continent's economy.
Imagine:
No oil.
No semiconductors.
No grain.
Global panic overnight.
In the age of drones, naval mines, and cyberattacks…
a single blockade or sabotage can cripple an entire continent's economy.
Imagine:
No oil.
No semiconductors.
No grain.
Global panic overnight.
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