Martiime Security in the Red Sea

The Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean are vital waterways for the world.

Darlene Casella | July 11, 2026

The Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean are vital waterways for the world. With the opening of the Suez Canal, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait became a substantial hub of trade connecting Asia and Europe through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It is the third busiest strait in the world. Due to Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen, unresolved shipping safety issues remain.

Strange-sounding names of the Middle East are faraway but significant places. It is critical that the United States have defensive military bases there. President Donald Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth must decide where to locate new military bases.

President Jimmy Carter knew that security of the Gulf was vital to the United States. During his administration, Central Command (CENTCOM) established headquarters in Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, which remain today.

Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar is the largest U.S. Military Base in the Middle East. It headquarters U.S. Central Command, USAF Central Command, No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group RAF, and the 379th Air Force Expeditionary Wing. Qatar Emiri Air Force, United States Air Force, United Kingdom Royal Air Force, and other foreign forces host around 10,000 military personnel.

American military bases in the Middle East have been attacked during the Iran War. Iranian drones wounded Pentagon employees in Bahrain. Americans were wounded in the Iranian missile attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base in........

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