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Using the Arctic could avoid future disruptions to shipping in the Red Sea, but this could mean problems for sensitive ecosystems

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Yemen attacks Houthi rebels on merchant ships in the Red Sea hit world trade. From November to December 2023, the variety of containers transported through the Red Sea every day dropped by 60% as ships carrying goods between Asia and Europe modified their routes around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa.

This route works to say the least ten more days sailing time, so caused the freight prices will go up and had costly consequences production delays. This region has already develop into a bottleneck for the global economy. The Suez Canal, the waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, was blocked for six days in 2021 after the Ever Given container ship ran aground, disrupting billions of dollars trade value.

The route through the cape was used every time the passage through Suez was disrupted. However, there may be an alternate sea passage between Asia and Europe – the so-called North Sea route.

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This route, running from the Barents Sea near Russia’s border with Norway to the Bering Strait between Siberia and Alaska, could also be a greater option and can soon develop into available if global warming is progressing at the expected pace. Nevertheless, it currently faces many challenges.



Map of the Arctic region showing the route through the North Sea.
Image Collection / Alamy Stock Photo

An alternative to global trade?

Tests estimates that summer sea ice around the Siberian coast will melt completely by 2035. Even if the ice sheet isn’t completely removed, the thickness of sea ice – one among the initial barriers to shipping in the Arctic – will change significantly reduced over the last 4 many years from 3.64 m to 1.89 m. Arctic navigation is subsequently expected to be profitable by 2010 the starting of the next decade.

For shipments between Shanghai and Rotterdam, the North Sea route reduces the distance ships can have to travel 3000 nautical miles compared to Suez i 6,200 miles compared to the Cape route. It would reduce the time needed to sail between East Asia and Northern Europe is up to 18 days (currently it takes 32 days via Suez).

Arctic navigation also takes place at very low speeds – below 18 knots (roughly 21 miles per hour). Therefore, depending on the speed of navigation and the kind of fuel used, a cargo ship transiting the North Sea route could profit from this 40% less fuel and generate up to 80% fewer emissions than if it used the Suez route.

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But is it feasible?

Despite its benefits, Arctic navigation is extremely seasonal and limited to the months in between July and November. Sailing ships along the North Sea route also requires an escort behind a nuclear-powered icebreaker. But the variety of icebreakers is restricted. Just five operated on the North Sea route in 2021 to approx nine by 2030.

Photo taken on board an icebreaker passing through an ice field.
Sailing ships along the North Sea route requires an escort behind a nuclear-powered icebreaker.
Katrin York/Shutterstock

There are also capability issues on the North Sea route. Trade between Asia and Europe uses so-called “mega ships” with a capability of roughly 20,000 containers. However, the North Sea route is unable to accommodate megaships due to restrictions imposed due to the depth of sea ice.

Currently only roughly ships Container capability 5000 in summer they’ll easily navigate the North Sea route.

Sensitive Arctic ecosystems

They would potentially generate cargo ships traveling along the North Sea route lower carbon dioxide emissions than ships passing through Suez. However, this alternative route presents different environmental challenges.

Arctic ecosystems take a protracted time to recuperate from disturbances comparable to oil spills. Accidents in these sensitive regions can subsequently cause unimaginable marine pollution.

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For example, in 1989 Exxon Valdez The tanker ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling over 250,000 barrels oil into the sea. Oil spill killed billions of salmon and over 300,000 animals of assorted species of fish and birds.

More than 25 years after the spill, 4 of those species (killer whales, Kittlitz’s Murrelets, marbled murrelets AND guillemot pigeon) haven’t been encountered again in the region.

Many cargo ships also carry ballast water to maintain stability at various stages of their operation. Ballast water is taken in or discharged during a ship’s journey. This practice has the potential to result migration of invasive species to the unique Arctic ecosystem.

Hands holding a bird soaked in oil with its beak open.
An oil-covered bird is examined on an island in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
Associated Press/Alamy Stock Photo

The routes are changing

Despite these challenges, shipping traffic in the Arctic is increasing. In the years 2013-2017, the volume of freight traffic on the North Sea route Rose from 2.8 million tons to 10.7 million tons.

In 2023, this number increased to 36.2 million tons. And it shows no signs of slowing down. In 2024, the Russian icebreaker fleet expects to move 1747 escorts (up from 1218 in 2023).

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The North Sea route currently cannot handle ship traffic or the volume of cargo transiting the Suez Canal. However, it might represent a viable alternative in the future, depending on how quickly progress is made in the fight against global warming and in developing a regulatory framework for shipping in the Arctic region.


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International

The fall of Assad in Syria will additionally weaken Hezbollah and limit the “iranization” of the Tehran region

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The fall of President Bashar Assad will not only affect 24 million Syrians who lived – and suffered a big extent – under his brutal rule. An influence can be felt above the border in Lebanon.

The fall of Assad’s government is one other blow to his Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, who was already Encouraging with Israel’s conflict, which weakened its capabilities and decimated his leadership. But many others in Lebanon will be rejoicingespecially 1.5 million Refugees who escaped from Syria Escar Assad and a 13-year civil war.

As Expert in the field of Library history and cultureI believe that waves from Syria needs to be expected. Contemporary stories of each countries are related, and by a 54-year rule, the Assad family has repeatedly intervened in Lebanon-mainly to the detriment of their people, economy and stability.

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Hezbollah and assad: mutual relationship

Since its inception in the early Eighties, Hezbollah benefited from the strong support of the Syrian regime. There They were tension moments Certainly between them – especially in the middle of the civil war in Lebanon. But in general, Hezbollah was in a position to depend on Syria for a weaponTraining and easy land Access to Iran.

And this agreement was mutual. When Assad’s rule was questioned in 2011 and the country went to the civil war, Hezbollah fighters He moved to Syria strengthen government troops.

But by becoming the strongest paramilitary being in Lebanon, Hezbollah saw his fortune suffered. The last war with Israel seriously weakened the group and forced her to Acceptance of a weapon suspension agreement This covers the path towards disarmament.

In addition, Lebanese support for Hezbollah modified dramatically, with the group’s open calls to stop her paramilitary activity. The war of the group with Israel cost life 3,700 people in Lebanonand around 1.2 million Lebanese -around one fifth population-internally displaced from their homes. Meanwhile, economic loss Lebanon is estimated in billions of dollars.

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Iran, Assad and Hezbollah triangle

It isn’t any accident that the recent progress of the rebels led to the refutation of Assad On the same day, the suspension of Israel-Hezbollah weapons was signed. Hesbollah forces were exhausted, and many of their warriors withdrew from Syria strengthen the southern border of Lebanon.

Syrian rebels selected this moment to hit, knowing that Iran was also too thin with the war of Israel-Hezbollahu to return to help help.

The domino effect caused Iran to unravel “Iran”Resistance axis. “Certainly Tehran lost hard over Syria and Lebanon.

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The proven fact that the fall of Assad coincides with the potential end of the Syria civil war and the Iran-Syria-Hezbollah alliance; It is the starting of the Art Nouveau war that helped anchor this three -sided relationship.

In 2011 Arabian spring -Seria pro-democracy and protests of human rights that began in Tunisia-she made to Syria. Anti -ssad protests broke out in Daraa and soon spread to the foremost cities, reminiscent of Homs, Hama and The Capital, Damascus.

Syrian government He answered with brutalityordering soldiers to shoot protesters, while stopping and torturing hundreds of men and boys.

International Outrage appeared. But the Syrian government remained in power with the support of Iran and Hezbollah. In fact, in addition to Hezbollah fighters, the Corps of the Revolutionary Guard Iran also advised Assad and fought alongside his army against the Syrian nation.

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For Tehran and his proxy, Hezbollah, this helped in the further “andranization” of the region – that’s, the spread of the ideology of the Iranian revolution and Conversion of Syria and Lebanon to the Shiite states.

Syria is principally a Sunni Muslim. Under the family of Assad ruled it Alawite minority – A gaggle that practices a branch of Shiite Islam. Hezbollah, as a Shiite terrorist group, swore loyalty to the highest leader of Iran in his own 1985 manifesto.

The Palestinian cause was one other uniting factor between these three. The revolutionary Iran Credo after 1979 “Death for Israel” is a sentiment shared by the Assad regime and Hezbollah fighters. However, Assad might have been less loud about this – especially since he tried to barter with Israel over the occupied Golan Heights.

Syria, Iran and Hezbollah Assad weren’t only united by radicalism and their desire to control the region. They also divided economic interests and benefited from trade in illegal drugs, In particular, CaptagonAmphetamine stimulant, which is mass -produced in Syria under the patronage of Assad and Iran. The drug is another and significant source of income at a time when international sanctions were bitten.

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With the help of Hezbollah and his control over the airport and Lebanon’s seaport, the drug has turn into widely available in the Persian Gulf. Its highly addictive nature is an actual threat in the Arab world, and Assad used it to exert pressure on Saudi Arabia Restoration of membership in Syria in the Arab League In 2023, in return, the Syrian regime agreed to redirect drug trafficking elsewhere.

Assad’s heritage

Along with the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the fall of the Syrian regime, the region’s “ianization” is no less than detained.

Nevertheless, 54 years of family rule of Assad in Syria left a protracted trace of destruction in neighboring Lebanon.

IN June 1976 Syria sent over 25,000 soldiers Above the border to place an end to the Lebanese civil war. His presence was to be temporary, but was prolonged to over 4 many years.

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Before the Lebanese civil war ended in 1991, Syria took complete control over Lebanon territory, in addition to national and international matters. Serious violations of human rights, including disappearance, illegal detention, torture and torture, have been reported Murder of political characters and journalists.

In February 2005, Lebanese Prime Minister Rafot Hariri – which publicly opposed the Syrian hegemony in Lebanon – he was murdered in an attack in which Assad and Senior Syrian officers They were strongly involved.

Hundreds of hundreds of Lebanese people prove to mourn the murder of Hariri Rafi.
Ghaith Abdul-Ahad/Getty Images

The murder caused Cedar revolutionWhen tons of of hundreds of Lebanese inhabitants got here out into the streets, demanding the immediate departure of Syrian forces.

Although Syrian forces left Lebanon, the Syrian regime continued to interfere in the country’s policy through Hezbollah, which transformed right into a political and military organization and entered the government in 2008.

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From that moment, Hezbollah would block every decision that didn’t serve the interests of Syria and Iran. For example, Hezbollah and his allies vetoed every presidential candidate who didn’t support the Syrian regime – a politician who fell into Lebanon in the prolonged Presidential vacuum.

Uncertain future

While Hezbollah can proceed to operate in Lebanon and under the umbrella of Iran, the fall of Assad signifies that it’s devoid of deliveries.

Without Syria, Hezbollah doesn’t have quick access to Iranian fighters and weapons – and the newly signed suspension of weapons between Lebanon and Israel confirms the commitment of Lebanon in A UN resolution Calling for disarming Hezbollah.

And even though it isn’t clear what New Syria will appear to be, no less than at the moment the populations of Lebanon and Syria – they each suffered under brutal rule and abuse of Hezbollah – they can enjoy after the departure of a person answerable for so many pain.

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Local government democratic north-eastern Syria will be attacked in a actual country

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After greater than a decade of the brutal Civil War of Islamist fighters, it took only 11 days to survive Syria and overthrow the Bashar Al-Assad regime. The offensive, which was conducted by the Turkish Syrian (SNA) and Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) National Army, forced many residents of Western Syria to flee from homes in search of security.

Meanwhile, others have a good time the tip of the five -year rule of the Assad family. There They are long queues People and cars on the Library border border, when displaced people return to Syria, and on the border with Turkey there are also significant grubs.

According to Ali Yerlikay, the Minister of the Interior of Turkey, the monthly average of Syrians crossing the border he almost doubled In sooner or later after overthrowing Assad.

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While these events were developing, the situation of a de facto self-governing region in the northeastern a part of the country called the autonomous administration of northeastern Syria (also generally known as Rojava) didn’t pay much attention to international media. The SNA rebel offensive is successful in the region.

The region management body has called the autumn Assada a significant moment and expressed hopes for a latest chapter in Syria. And the powerful armed groups of Rojaavy, the units of the People’s Protection (YPG) and the democratic forces supported by the USA (SDF), even have each Expressed optimism About the autumn of the Assad regime.

These statements reflect a common sense of hope and commitment to constructive dialogue and cooperation in shaping the longer term of Syria. But Rojava, which was a lighthouse Kurdish complacency And democratic management from the start of 2010, when several districts have announced autonomy, is threatened with each internal and external forces.

There are tensions between the SDF and Arabic tribes over the political influence and abundant natural resources of Rojava. In Manbija, a city west of the Euphrates River in northern Syria, there was Heavy clashes Between SDF and Sna from the start of the rebel offensive. SDF successfully informed rejecting many attacks, but eventually withdrew from the town.

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Apparently also offensive Began in Kobanewhich is perceived because the birthplace of the Rojav Revolution and a symbol of Kurdish resistance. The city is the place of the important thing battlefield, where Kurdish fighters defeated the Islamic State (IS) in 2014.

In other cities in the region, corresponding to Raqqa, Tabqa and the important thing desert city of Deir Ez-Zor, Arabs are demographically more quite a few than the Kurds. The way forward for cooperation between two groups in these areas dominated by Arabs stays uncertain.

Over the past week, SDF fighters captured Deir Ez-Zor and took control of the primary border crossing of Syria with Iraq. Recently, nevertheless, there There were reports suggesting that HTS warriors gain control over the town.

Externally, Turkish military operations geared toward weakening the region’s Kurdish control are a constant threat to Rojava. Türkiye perceives SDF and YPG as an extension of the forbidden party of Kurdistan staff and motion to stop the Kurdish autonomous region along its border to acquire political status that Türkiye perceives as a direct threat to its national security.

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So in cooperation with the Allied groups of jihadists, Türkiye has conducted several operations in northern Syria in recent years to ascertain “Safe Zone” push the Kurdish forces. Turkish forces He took control earlier Afrin cities in the northwestern a part of Syria in 2018, which was then under Rojava’s control.

These activities drew international criticism accusations violations of human rights and war crimes. Sweden with several other European countries, He stopped weapon trade with Turkey in 2019. However, Sweden later He raised the restrictions During the technique of submitting an application for attachment to NATO.

Türkiye plays a key role of an ally for the movements of the Syrian opposition, especially Sna. Served as a very important support system for rebel forces throughout the last offensive, like this He did it consistently in the past.

Rojaava’s future is predicated on his ability to maneuver in complex dynamics. Maintaining US support is crucial since the American military presence is deterrent to Turkish aggression. However, the region must also cope with internal divisions and work on greater Arab-Rurdic reconciliation to make sure long-term stability.

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Path forward

Opposition groups in Syria are very fragmented and we don’t yet understand how power struggles arise amongst them. We know that HTS and its leader Abu Muhammad Al-Jolani have historical connections with Al-Qaeda and IS. The group is now presented in a more moderate light, but there may be a lot of uncertainty.

On the opposite hand, Rojava fought against IS, Jazides were protected during a genocidal campaign against them and established humanitarian corridors to evacuate them and strives to implement a multi -ethnic society based on direct democracy, ecology and sex equality.

Rojava social contract card He protects these principles and provides the representation and rights of Kurds, Arabs, Jazydów, Syriaj-Casyrians, Turkmens, Armenians and others.

The Kurds in Brussels, Belgium protest against the Military Action of Turkey in north -eastern Syria in 2019.
Alexandros Michailidis / Shutterstock

It is troublesome that despite the apparent “confidence” in Jolani – a character who He was once marked “The most sought after terrorist in the world” – as a moderate revolutionary leader, since its establishment has not been recognized by the democratic Ryjaava model.

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Instead of receiving the merit of support, Rojava is concentrated on questions on the priorities of the international community and the prospect of sustainable peace in the region. The Syrian nation, in all its diversity and voices, must determine the ways of constructing a really integration and democratic Syria, in which all people can coexist in the room.

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The role of the USA in Syria is unclear after the fall of Assad from power

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A broken portrait of the former President of Syria Bashar Al-Assad in the government constructing on December 7, 2024 in Hama, Syria.
Omar Haj Kadour/AFP by Getty Images

What is the most significant thing to grasp US involvement in Syria?

US involvement in Syria reaches at the very least 2011 when this Arabian springProtest movement in the Middle East in the Middle East, broke out and spread to Syria.

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This caused the brutal repression of the Syrian government, led by the Syrian leader Al-Assad. Some protesters then became part of the rebel groups in Syria and fought with the Assad government, resulting from this In the civil war. The United States immediately imposed Heavy financial sanctions About the Syria government.

In 2013 The US began to supply weapons to some groups of rebels that were based on the Assad government. This 12 months, the Syrian army also exceeded “Red line“This was established by the then President Barack Obama with Chemical weapon against civilians. Despite the pressure on implement the red lineObama decided to not intervene when Assad agreed to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons – the commitment that Assad didn’t fully live to.

In 2014, a gaggle of Islamic State, often generally known as ISIS or is, He took over the parts of Syria. The United States has deployed forces directly The fight is in 2015. Until 2019, the US has seriously weakened, and the US reduced its presence. The United States has never accepted the Asssad’s Government ID, but largely gave up Assad’s rule.

What does US involvement appear to be now?

The United States remained involved in Syria in several ways. First, yes About 900 soldiers arranged in some distant parts of Syria To prevent ISIS regrouping.

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Secondly, the United States gave greater than USD 1 billion for military assistance for more moderate Armed groups that resisted the control by the Assad government. A big part of this assistance went to the Syrian democratic forces, the military force led by the Kurds, a minority ethnic group that controls the north -eastern Syria and closely cooperated with the US in the fight against ISIS, stained with opposition to Assad.

Thirdly, the United States has retained severe financial sanctions against the Syrian government of 2011 and the fourth, United States providing humanitarian aid for suffering Syrians from the 13-year civil war of the country.

The United States has not played a direct role in the recent overthrow of the Syrian government. Syrian groups of rebels that overthrew Assada Supported mainly by Turkeywhich goals to weaken the Syrian branch of one other Kurdish group called Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Türkiye perceives this group as a threat control your individual Kurdish population.

What does the overthrow of Assad’s government mean for the USA?

The United States doesn’t yet make any decisive judgments about whether this transformation can be good for the United States, the fall of Assad opens the possibility of improving relations between the US and Syria, but it’s going to largely rely on the latest leadership in Syria.

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Hayat Tahrir al-ShamOr HTS, a gaggle that led the overthrow of Assad, ruled an authoritative way in the area of ​​Syria, which they’re already controlling.

ISIS is also constant care of the USA. It hits the goals of ISIS In recent days, trying to stop ISIS from gaining land after the fall of the Assad government.

The girl stands and holds the black and green and white flag with three red stars and stands next to several men, including one in a camouflage holding weapons.
People gather with rebel fighters at Umayyad Square in Damascus, Syria, December 10, 2024.
Nael chahine/in the Middle East images/AFP via Getty Images

What do Trump’s election to the US involvement in Syria mean?

Trump took the position of Syria A multitude and that this is not America’s problem. During his first term, Trump wanted to drag out all of them will remain US soldiers from Syriaand his advisers convinced him Keep a small number of soldiers there. Whether latest Syria leaders act in an authoritarian way will probably not matter to Trump.

But Trump is definitely pro -Israel and possibly won’t have an issue with Israel conducting strikes in Syria.

Under Trump’s rule, the United States will probably not be the major player shaping the events in Syria, but I feel that in the interest of the nation he’ll remain involved, because what is happening in Syria affects the rest of the Middle East – and thus, the USA

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