Part 3/10:
Among the world's vital shipping lanes, Zahhan considers the Southeast Asian route passing through Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Strait of Malacca as the most likely to remain functional. Why? Because the countries bordering this corridor share similar perspectives on trade and regional stability and recognize their mutual dependence on open shipping lanes.
Despite the geopolitical complexities—15 nations with differing interests—the region's collective vested interest in maintaining trade connections provides a strong incentive against conflict and disruption. Notably, these countries lack the naval capacity to project power over vast distances to secure the entire zone, but their shared economic necessity acts as a deterrent against aggression.