Chokepoints

Bab el-Mandeb

Bab el-Mandeb: why this chokepoint matters, which countries sit on it, and the latest Bureau coverage.

Critical

already critical; crisis signal persists: Twelve killed, more than 300 injured in attack on Riyadh's King Khalid airport

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Why it matters

Gate to the Red Sea; every Asia–Europe sailing not using the Cape passes here.

Bureau read: 3 countries sit on this passage; the highest-scored is Eritrea (37.0/100). A chokepoint is judged by how many navies can hold it — and by the power of those who border it.

Countries on this chokepoint

Eritrea Yemen Djibouti

Other chokepoints

Strait of Hormuz Taiwan Strait Bab el-Mandeb / Red Sea Danish Straits Suez Canal Strait of Gibraltar Strait of Malacca Lombok & Sunda Straits Mozambique Channel Panama Canal

Across the Bureau

Bab el-Mandeb / Red Sea — Strategic Chokepoint Bering Strait — Strategic Chokepoint Cape of Good Hope — Strategic Chokepoint Who won the last election in Albania?Who won the last election in Australia?Who won the last election in Austria?Afghanistan — Country Profile Albania — Country Profile