In early December 2019, Donald Trump openly asked why the World Bank loaned China $1 billion.
Beginning in 2021, China will take over the operations of Israel’s largest port in Haifa after winning the bid in October 2019. Currently, the US Sixth Fleet, is docked at Haifa. It’s important to note that the headquarters for the US Sixth Fleet is in Naples, Italy.
Why is the United States’ biggest ally, Israel, allowing China to bid and take over the operations of their largest port?
Wouldn’t it be a conflict of interest if the United States military naval fleet were to dock their vessels at a port operated by China, who’s often lifted up as Enemy Number One?
If the US Navy does deem it a conflict of interest, where will the US Sixth Fleet move to? What port would take them?
The United States sends billions of dollars in funding and aid to Israel every year. Isn’t allowing China to win the bid on the Port of Haifa, Israel’s largest port in the country, a bit of a slap in the face to the US/Israel relations?
Since the US Sixth Fleet is headquartered out of Italy, will Italy now contract with the United States Navy to host the fleet at their docks? I could easily imagine the US Sixth Fleet headquarters taking over every available port in Italy. If this were to happen, would the Italian citizens want a heavy United States military presence in their cities? Can you imagine Venice, for instance, a city that thrives on tourism and cruise ships suddenly being over-run with United States military personnel?
To put this into context, here is the Port of Haifa on a map (see the red dot in the lower right). Take a look at the surrounding regions and take a look at the country Haifa directly faces from across the Mediterranean Sea. (Italy is in its direct line of sight) What does it mean to those regions that Israel’s largest port is now operated by China?
What would it mean for US/China/Israel/Italy relations, especially for trade interests, if the US Sixth fleet were to re-dock at their headquarters In Italy?
We have lots to ponder and think about in this world in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We should also look at how these geo-political allied relationships seem to be fraying or at the very least, reshaping. How does this reshaping affect your life?
This small blip on the world stage may seem like it doesn’t affect your life, here, on any personal or real level but I promise you it does.
Book of Ours are working artists and could really use your help. By becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/bookofours you can help support us as we continue to archive history in unique and creative ways through our video essays in the Age of Covid. You can find all of our work at http://www.youtube.com/bookofours.