Are maritime straits causing conflicts
The article discusses the importance of the world's significant waterways since the 16th century as vital channels for international trade and areas of geopolitical tension. It highlights that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) states that straits are natural features and free navigation is preserved, while allowing countries to impose fees on artificial channels such as the Suez Canal and Panama Canal. The article also examines how countries like Portugal, England, and the United States have exploited the geographical location of these straits to advance their colonial interests, with some straits, such as the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, continuing to impose fees in accordance with the Montreux Convention (1936). Additionally, it points out that straits like Hormuz and Malacca are of strategic importance today, with forecasts indicating potential future issues concerning the Taiwan Strait and Malacca Strait amid increasing regional tensions and international competition.
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