Parting ways
We don’t normally provide travel advice in this part of the newspaper, but trust us on this one: Stay away from Russia and the Red Sea.
As far as Russia is concerned, Americans are taken prisoner there by the government. And not released. Reporters, sports stars, young ladies who give $51 to a Ukrainian charity. The corruption is nearly complete, and it starts from the head of government.
The Red Sea is a different story. There is no “government of the Red Sea,” but the place is still unforgiving.
Some people have to travel on the Red Sea for their jobs (if they’re in shipping), and that can be dangerous. The Yemen-backed Houthi Rebels, a group we’ve discussed in the past, are looking to make that part of the world a dangerous place now and in the future.
Why? They’re against Israel in its war against Hamas. They’re also against anyone else who is allied with Israel, and that includes the United States.
According to the Associated Press, in a statement late Thursday night, Houthi Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the
Houthis will “persist in upholding their religious, moral and humanitarian duties . . . . ”
Humanitarian duties?
That’s certainly an odd thing to say about a group that’s been firing at ships of all kinds, especially given the fact that the statement was made within hours of launching missile strikes on a ship traveling through the Gulf of Aden.
Recently, the Houthis’ targets have become more random, endangering every vessel in a vital waterway for cargo and energy shipments traveling from Asia and the Middle East to Europe. The latest victim was a Palau-flagged ship called the Islander. Thankfully, the attack only started a small fire and wounded one sailor, and the ship is continuing on its way.
However, this attack came despite the vessel sending out messages saying, “SYRIAN CREW ON BOARD” in an attempt to avoid being targeted. Other vessels have adopted similar strategies.
That part of the world is full of complex challenges, for which few have simple answers. But one thing is certain: Until the place cools down, it is no place for tourists.