Phar, Kim Beng (2026) How a war on land comes to be fought at sea. Free Malaysia Today, 2026 (32). pp. 1-3.
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Abstract
This article examines how a conflict primarily fought on land can progressively extend into the maritime domain, transforming strategic waterways into critical theatres of geopolitical confrontation. Focusing on the Strait of Hormuz and the wider maritime environment surrounding West Asia, it argues that modern conflicts cannot be geographically contained when energy flows, naval deployments, and international trade routes are closely interconnected with developments on land. The article highlights how military escalation may generate pressure on maritime chokepoints, exposing commercial shipping and global energy supply chains to heightened strategic risks. It further contends that the maritime dimension of conflict is shaped not only by conventional naval power but also by deterrence, asymmetric capabilities, and the ability of regional actors to threaten or disrupt freedom of navigation. Such developments demonstrate how land-based geopolitical rivalries can rapidly acquire international consequences once they intersect with strategically important sea lanes. The article concludes that the expansion of conflict from land to sea underscores the interconnected nature of contemporary warfare and the growing importance of maritime security. Protecting strategic waterways and preventing further escalation therefore require sustained diplomatic engagement, credible deterrence, and greater international attention to the relationship between terrestrial conflict and maritime instability.
| Item Type: | Article (Electronic Media) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Maritime Security; Strait of Hormuz; West Asia; Maritime Chokepoints; Naval Strategy; Geopolitical Conflict; Freedom of Navigation; Energy Security; Asymmetric Warfare; Conflict Escalation |
| Subjects: | J Political Science > JZ International relations |
| Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): | International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) Office of the Rector |
| Depositing User: | Dr Kim Beng Phar |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Jul 2026 04:58 |
| Last Update: | 20 Jul 2026 10:15 |
| Queue Number: | 2026-07-Q4160 |
| URI: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/130058 |
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