The US and British strikes have not yet been enough to weaken the Houthis. For this reason, the Biden administration is apparently thinking about a long-term strategy to combat it. Among American authorities there are those who fear that a new “unpredictable conflict” is on the horizon. But one thing is certain: the West cannot stand by and watch as Yemeni rebels attack shipping and compromise trade. The crisis in the Red Sea is hitting Italian companies, from the oil-energy sector to the manufacturing industry. And it doesn’t spare the agri-food sector. The warning comes from Coldiretti: “’Made in Italy’ agri-food exports to Asia will be worth 5.5 billion in 2023, of which almost 90% reach their destination countries by sea and face navigation difficulties caused by the group’s attacks. armed. of sea routes between East and West, forced to avoid the Suez Canal, have led to dramatic increases in the cost of shipping and travel times,” explains the agricultural organization. Today, ministers of the Twenty-Seven will discuss this issue and the two-state solution to the Middle East crisis at the Foreign Affairs Council.
To stop the escalation of tensions in the Red Sea, the launch of the new EU military mission, Aspides, is taking shape, which will have the mission of defending merchant ships even with the use of force, if necessary. The first promoters of this naval mission are Italy, France and Germany. As stated in a joint document, the content of which was published by Corriere della Sera, the three countries “invite the High Representative to implement all possible diplomatic efforts to ensure that the mandate and activities of Aspides enjoy the highest possible degree of understanding in the region and beyond” and therefore we ask Member States to “favorably consider their participation, with naval assets or personnel contributions”. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, speaking Friday night in Bergamo at a meeting with a group of industrialists, clarified that “Aspides is not just an international police mission, it is a very important political signal from the EU: we are in the right direction of a common mission European defense, which is the truly necessary piece of common foreign policy”.
Source: IL Tempo
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
