Word: straitly
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...declined in subsequent centuries, thanks to increasingly vigilant militaries and the development of the steam engine. But amid a drop in naval patrols and a boom in international trade following the end of the cold war, it has flourished anew--particularly in narrow choke points such as Asia's Strait of Malacca and the Gulf of Aden, which links the Red and Arabian seas. Buoyed by fast boats, fearsome weaponry and high-tech communications gear, pirates carried off 263 reported heists in 2007--28% of which occurred in the lawless waters off Nigeria and Somalia. With its vast coastline...
Iran's nine-missile test shows "our resolve and might against enemies who in recent weeks have threatened Iran with harsh language," Gen. Hossein Salami of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards said in a broadcast over Iranian state television. Iran has threatened to halt the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. or Israel attacks its nuclear-development sites. The test firings reportedly included Iran's newest missile, the intermediate range Shahab 3, which can reach Israel, Turkey and U.S. military deployments in the region. "Our hands are always on the trigger and our missiles are ready...
...China Airplane Diplomacy In their first formal discussions since 1999, China and Taiwan agreed to allow charter flights across the Taiwan strait, starting July 4. While travelers will still have to pass through Hong Kong, the pact is a sign of how relations have thawed in the month since Taiwan's new President, Ma Ying-jeou, took office...
...agreement is expected to give a modest boost to Taiwan's economy. More cross-strait tourism will boost annual GDP growth by .6% to .8%, according to a report on tourism in Taiwan by Goldman Sachs. "The implementation of these policies would support a recovery in sentiments and domestic demands ... and should help Taiwan offset the negative external shock from slower U.S. demand and higher energy prices," wrote Goldman Sachs analyst Enoch Fung...
...Benefits could extend beyond the economy. China has threatened to invade Taiwan if it declares formal independence and has installed hundreds of missiles along its southern coast near Taiwan. The U.S. military, which could be drawn in to defend Taiwan in the event of a conflict, considers the Taiwan Strait to be one of the most dangerous flashpoints in Asia. Easing tensions will require more than a deal on tourism, Yang says, but he notes that Friday's agreement could help reduce provocative military maneuvers. "Both China and Taiwan conduct training exercises in the Taiwan Strait. To avoid miscalculation...