In December 2023, the world witnessed an international political and economic storm. Malaysia's sudden announcement of severe sanctions against Israel, prohibiting Israeli ships from docking and loading goods in its ports, immediately sparked a strong reaction from Israel and concern from the international community.
At the same time, tensions in the Red Sea region have escalated, with North and Russia clashing with the United States and South Korea at the UN Security Council, and Yemen's Houthi threats to attack ships of countries participating in US escort operations, causing several shipping companies to change their routes and affecting the global ** chain. Is there a connection between these events?
The motives and impact of Malaysia's sanctions against Israel
Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country, has always been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, does not recognize Israel's legitimacy and does not establish diplomatic relations with it.
Announcing the sanctions imposed on Israel, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the move was a response to Israel's disregard for humanitarianism, violation of international law, and continued cruelty to the Palestinian people, and aimed at defending the dignity of humanitarianism and the authority of international law. He added that this decision will not have an impact on Malaysia's activities, as there are no exchanges between Malaysia and Israel.
However, Malaysia's sanctions are not only motivated by moral and belief considerations, but also by political and economic motives. On the one hand, Malaysia is facing a domestic political crisis, Anwar ** lacks the support of a stable majority, and sanctions against Israel are a tactic to show goodwill to Muslim voters at home and a means to deflect domestic contradictions.
On the other hand, Malaysia is also using sanctions against Israel to boost its influence in the Islamic world and gain more support and cooperation, especially in competition with countries such as Indonesia and Turkey.
The impact of Malaysia's sanctions on Israel is not fatal, as Israel's economy is not dependent on the Malaysian market and does not require Malaysia's resources. However, the impact of Malaysia's sanctions on international shipping is significant, as Malaysia has Port Klang, the second largest port in Southeast Asia, located at the confluence of the Straits of Malacca, one of the busiest waterways in the world, with more than 100,000 ships passing through each year.
Malaysia's ban means that all Israeli-linked vessels will not be able to dock and load cargo at Malaysian ports, which will cause significant delays and losses for shipments around the globe, especially for those countries and regions that rely on the Suez Canal and the Red Sea routes.
Causes and consequences of the Red Sea crisis
The Red Sea crisis was caused by the civil war and external interference in Yemen. Yemen has been in a state of civil war since 2014, with the Iranian-backed Houthis taking control of the capital, Sana'a, and the northern region against the Yemeni Army, which is backed by a multinational coalition led by Saudi Arabia.
In order to strike at the economic interests of Saudi Arabia and its allies, the Houthis have repeatedly fired missiles and drones at merchant ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, causing loss of life and property. Recently, the Houthis have also threatened to attack ships of countries involved in U.S. escort operations, further escalating tensions in the Red Sea.
The consequences of the Red Sea crisis are an impact on the global ** chain and instability in the Middle East. The Red Sea is one of the world's most important shipping arteries, connecting Europe, Asia and Africa, and is one of the busiest waterways in the world, with more than 20,000 ships passing through each year.
Among them, the Suez Canal is an important passage connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, and is one of the busiest canals in the world, with more than 180,000 ships pass through, carrying 12% of the world's ** volume, including consumer goods and oil. Due to the threat of the Houthis, several major shipping companies, including Maersk, CMA CGM and Evergreen, have announced that they will suspend or reduce their voyages in the Red Sea, or increase surcharges to deal with security risks.
This will lead to higher freight costs around the world, longer transit times, and disruptions to the ** chain, negatively impacting the global economy, especially for countries and regions that rely on the Red Sea route, such as Europe, Asia, and Africa.
In addition, the Red Sea crisis could trigger a military conflict and a diplomatic crisis in the Middle East. Due to the strategic position of the Red Sea, major powers such as the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France have all deployed military forces in the region to protect their interests and influence. The United States also launched a convoy operation in November, inviting several countries to join in protecting merchant ships sailing in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks.
However, this action has been opposed and criticized by Iran and Russia, who see it as a pretext for the United States to create tension and interference in the Middle East. Iran and Russia are also engaged in bitter disputes with the United States and South Korea at the United Nations Security Council, accusing each other of exacerbating the crisis on the Korean Peninsula and in the Red Sea.
In addition, hostile relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran are also manifested on the Red Sea, with each side accusing each other of supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region. Against this backdrop, any miscalculation or accident could trigger a large-scale armed conflict that would endanger the peace and security of the entire Middle East region.
The response and outlook of the international community
Israel has expressed its strong condemnation of Malaysia's sanctions, demanded that Malaysia immediately reverse its decision, and threatened that if Malaysia does not change its position, Israel will take all necessary measures, including filing a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice, to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. At the same time, Israel has also sought the support and help of the United States and other friendly countries, hoping to use diplomatic and economic means to put pressure on Malaysia to abandon its sanctions.
On the other hand, Malaysia's sanctions have also attracted the attention and endorsement of other Islamic countries, with some countries expressing their willingness to follow Malaysia's example and impose similar sanctions on Israel as a sign of support and sympathy for the Palestinian people.
In addition, some international organizations and non-governmental organizations have also expressed their understanding and recognition of Malaysia's sanctions, believing that this is a legitimate way of peace and reasonable pressure and restraint on Israel.
Second, the international community's response and outlook for the Red Sea crisis are complex and diverse. Some countries have chosen to join the U.S. escort operations to protect their merchant ships and interests, while also expressing their support and trust in the U.S. as a necessary measure to maintain international order and security.
Malaysia's sanctions and the crisis in the Red Sea were the two major focuses of international politics and economics in December 2023, reflecting not only the divisions and conflicts of the international community, but also the cooperation and interaction of the international community.
Against this backdrop, the international community's responses and prospects are diverse, some positive, some negative, some constructive and some destructive. How to seek peace and stability, uphold fairness and justice, and promote development and cooperation in such a complex situation is a common challenge and responsibility facing the international community. Malaysia's sanctions and the crisis in the Red Sea are two major international events in December 2023 that have had a profound impact on global politics and economics.