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Monday, January 28, 2013

The Red Sea Choke Point

There was a recent seizure of the Eritrean state television station. I didn't know what to make of it. Is Eritrea's dictatorship on the ropes?

Explanations of the events at the Information Ministry differ wildly, but “whatever you believed happened, this has been a significant development,” says Tronvoll. “This is huge defiance of Isaias’ power, a message that went around the world instantly, a great boost for the diaspora, and a clear signal that divisions are emerging in the military, the power of Afewerki is withering and it is one step closer to his downfall.” At least, that’s what the exiles, dissidents and victims of the regime are hoping.

That would be nice. Eritrea is an Iran-friendly outpost on an oil chokepoint, after all.