
Eritrea has consistently functioned as a critical strategic pivot point in modern world history despite its small size. The source details how Eritrea’s unique geography and infrastructure made it instrumental during World War II, citing the crucial Allied victory at the Battle of Keren and the massive logistical hub known as Project 19 at Gura which supported the North African campaign. Furthermore, the article explains Eritrea’s central role in the Cold War and Space Race through Kagnew Station, which served both NASA and the NSA, and its renewed importance in the post-9/11 War on Terror, highlighted by high-level visits from U.S. military leaders. Ultimately, the text asserts that Eritrea’s position commanding the southern Red Sea makes it an irreplaceable determinant of regional peace and global maritime security concerning Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia, urging the United States to recognize its enduring value as a strategic partner.