Somaliland, recognized as part of Somalia under international law, but which has been effectively self-governing for decades, has been recognized as an independent country by only one UN member state: Israel. Talks are now underway to cement a strategic partnership granting Israel permission to base military forces in the territory.
A look at a map tells the story: Somaliland is located at the mouth of the Red Sea, just across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen. Roughly 10% of global shipping passes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, making it among the most strategically valuable real estate on the planet.
