April 28, 2026 | 12:30 - 2:00 PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join IIS and Ethan Chorin, Founder and Director Red Sea Futures, for a lunchtime talk to discuss the intense competition between regional and global powers in the Red Sea. Over one fifth of the world’s trade passes through this critically important waterway.
The Red Sea has grown increasingly significant as a route for the transportation of goods as a result of the American war against Iran. In response to US and Israeli airstrikes, Iran has blocked shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz, which has already driven up oil prices and caused widespread fuel shortages. Iran is able to exert its influence in the Red Sea through collaboration with the Houthi group in Yemen. As escalation in the region continues, numerous questions arise: Will the violence in Iran result in the closure of Red Sea trade routes? Is it possible for Iran and the Houthis to close off the Red Sea in the same way as the Strait of Hormuz? And if so, how will the countries that border the Red Sea respond? To understand these questions, it is necessary to understand the geopolitics of the Red Sea.
About the Speaker: Dr. Ethan Chorin is an accomplished UC Berkeley alum. He has served as a former US diplomat and Middle East analyst. He has written four books about Red Sea politics. Currently, he serves as the CEO of Red Sea Futures, an organization made up of over 230 experts on the region, who offer analysis for organizations such as the BBC, CNN, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
