Everyone Has a Base at Bab al-Mandeb

The Houthis now control Bab al-Mandeb, which means they control whether Saudi oil leaves the Red Sea. Yossi Alpher has stood on that coastline. In 1981 he traveled through Somalia, visited Hargeisa and the port of Berbera, and interviewed President Siad Barre in his courtyard, where Barre, freshly abandoned by the Soviet Union, asked him what a country with no friends should do next.

In this episode, we talk about why the strait matters more than the headlines suggest, what it costs Egypt, why Israel has taken an interest in Somaliland, and the music Yossi bought on cassette in Mogadishu.

Then the other story of the week: the call from Abu Dhabi that warned Netanyahu ten days before October 7, the denial, and why a commission of inquiry depends on the October 27 Israeli election.

The Somali music clip is "Sharero 75" by Sharero Band, composed by Ahmed Naji Sa’ad (Axmed Naaji Sacad), from Light & Sound of Mogadishu (Afro7 Records). Used with permission.

To book the Sweet Sound podcast studio in Tel Aviv, email Ittai Shaked ittaisha@gmail.com.