Understanding the geopolitics and geo-economics of the Red Sea and the Nile

The politics of the Red Sea and the Nile are being reshaped. The peace treaty between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the fragile stabilisation of Somalia, the tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the ongoing transition in Sudan, and the renewed Saudi interest in developing its western coast have all contributed to the region’s complex geopolitical dynamics in recent years. The Gulf states have increased their political and economic involvement but not within a multilateral or cooperative framework. Turkey has also made inroads in the region. Competition over ports and bases is intense, threatening at times to derail economic cooperation and infrastructure projects.
Will these dynamics jumpstart a new era of competition or could cooperation over maritime security, water-sharing and economic development emerge? What are the hard security challenges faced by the region? And what is the real nature and level of interest of Western, Gulf and Asian powers for the region?