Maritime security
Bab el-Mandeb, shipping risks, naval presence, coastal security, and regional maritime governance.
Cross-program initiative
Red Sea, Gulf, and Regional Connectivity
Research on the security, trade, infrastructure, investment, and diplomatic relationships connecting the Horn of Africa with the Red Sea and Gulf states.
About the initiative
The initiative examines how Gulf engagement, maritime routes, ports, infrastructure finance, food and energy systems, migration, security partnerships, and diplomatic competition reshape political authority, economic development, and regional cooperation across the Horn of Africa.
Its work connects the Institute’s three research programs and Foresight Lab. Research examines how institutional arrangements, commercial infrastructure, security partnerships, and investment decisions shape regional politics and economic development.
Research areas
Ports and corridors
Port development, logistics networks, trade routes, connections between ports and inland markets, and infrastructure competition.
Investment and finance
Gulf investment, development finance, sovereign investment, procurement, and infrastructure governance.
Food, water, and energy
Food-security investment, energy systems, water stress, supply resilience, and regional supply and resource risks.
Security partnerships
Defense cooperation, military access, acquisition, training, external influence, and effects on state institutions and security policy.
Diplomacy and competition
Mediation, alliances, strategic competition, regional organizations, and shifts in alliances, mediation, and diplomatic cooperation.
Research and policy analysis
The initiative develops strategic assessments, infrastructure and investment analysis, maritime-risk studies, regional scenarios, institutional mapping, and policy analysis for governments, international organizations, research institutions, and businesses working across the Horn of Africa, Red Sea, and Gulf.