The Intelligence from The Economist The Intelligence: Troubled waters
Feb 12, 2024
Shashank Joshi, The Economist's defence editor and naval power expert, delves into the escalating tensions over global waterways and the rise of China's navy. He emphasizes the need for Western nations to re-evaluate their strategies in light of these shifts. Anne Rowe, the obituaries editor, pays tribute to Rosemary Smith, a groundbreaking female rally driver, celebrating her journey and impact on motorsport. The discussion touches on public sentiment regarding the Chinese Communist Party amidst economic struggles, revealing innovative methods to gauge opinion under censorship.
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Importance of Seaways
- The seas are fundamental to daily life, with 80% of global trade by volume traveling by sea.
- Disruptions like the Suez Canal blockage highlight the importance of these waterways.
Shifting Naval Power
- The US Navy has historically dominated the oceans, but China's navy is now the largest by number of ships.
- Western naval dominance is eroding as other countries' naval capabilities grow.
US-China Competition
- US-China competition is a major driver of the renewed focus on the oceans.
- This competition is inherently maritime, focused on areas like Taiwan and the South China Sea.