ArcaMax

The Houthis leverage a geographical chokepoint, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. Their attacks can close the narrow strait.

The Key Bridge has closed the narrow passage connecting Baltimore's harbor to Chesapeake Bay. A terror attack could have happened. Deepwater Horizon was an accident -- but terrorists can attack offshore platforms. Mexican cartels have seized Mexican oil platforms, for ransom.

In 2020, the port of Corpus Christi, Texas, handled 55% of market share of U.S. crude exports. A study of the canal connecting Corpus Christi to Port Aransas and then the Gulf of Mexico determined the canal can be blocked in several places. Close Houston's or Corpus Christi's connecting channel and American energy and chemical supplies suffer an instant blockade, without an enemy risking naval forces. The entire U.S. economy suffers, and so does U.S. military defense.

What will the Key Bridge catastrophe cost the U.S. economy? Two sources say the macro-effects will be minimal. The Port of Baltimore, however, directly employs some 15,000 people and is very important to the U.S. auto industry. The Detroit Free Press reported around 850,000 vehicles are shipped in and out of the port annually: "General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis said they were working on making shipping alternatives."

That takes time and money.

Now imagine an enemy nation (China?) or crime organization (drug cartel?) identified 30 "critical bridges" or transportation nodes. The I-10 Mississippi River bridge at Baton Rouge is one example. The disruption caused by the detonation of 30 one-ton bombs hidden in trucks near or on the targets would cause immense devastation and economic destruction. It could also kill thousands.

America's transport and logistics chain is vulnerable.

========

To find out more about Austin Bay and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

----

Copyright 2024 Creators Syndicate, Inc.