Somaliland in new Middle East balance of power
- Janusz Bylinski
- Mar 16
- 2 min read
Original Author: Janusz Bylinski
Original Publication: OrissaPOST
Date: March 15, 2026
Curated Excerpt (Fair Use)
Israel’s December 2025 diplomatic recognition of Somaliland is actively accelerating a geopolitical reorganization across the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. Rather than an isolated diplomatic gesture, the author argues that this recognition is a calculated maneuver within a broader Israeli strategy to reshape the regional security architecture. By validating Somaliland’s sovereignty—citing the 1933 Montevideo Convention—Israel paves the way for Hargeisa to formally join the Abraham Accords, securing a strategic foothold at a critical maritime chokepoint between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean.
The analysis highlights a deep strategic synergy between Israel and the United Arab Emirates regarding Somaliland. With the UAE already controlling a rapidly expanding military and naval base at the deep-water port of Berbera, both nations share aligned interests in countering Iranian threats, securing vital supply chains, and establishing alternative logistics routes. By transforming Somaliland into a geopolitical protégé, Israel and its Gulf partners are actively projecting power to neutralize both Shiite and radical Sunni axes operating near the Red Sea.
Furthermore, this Horn of Africa alignment is contextualized within Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s broader vision of a "hexagon of alliances," which seeks to integrate Israel, Greece, Cyprus, India, and other unnamed regional actors into a cohesive security bloc. The piece notes that India’s growing defense ties with Israel and shared interest in securing maritime corridors further solidify this network. Ultimately, the author suggests that the true test of this emerging architecture will depend on how Gulf Arab states respond to Israel’s expanding regional hegemony in the aftermath of the ongoing conflict with Iran.
About the Publication
OrissaPOST is an English-language daily newspaper based in the Indian state of Odisha, providing comprehensive coverage of regional, national, and international affairs. Janusz Bylinski is a journalist and geopolitical commentator who frequently covers shifting alliances and security dynamics in the Middle East.
This is a curated article from an external publication. All views expressed belong to the original authors. Gallaydh.com curates external work to encourage informed discussion and critical engagement.
