Given the range of security threats facing the region and the immense volume of trade flows, the Middle East will remain one of the pre-eminent military markets in the world moving forward. Most of the region's countries are engaged in armed conflict, either within their territory against non-state actors or in another state's territory. Terrorist groups threaten security forces and civilian populations. In the southern portion of the Red Sea, coastal anti-shipping missiles in the hands of Ansar Allah have raised concerns about the safe transit of commercial vessels through this area, which is an important shipping lane. The same group claims to be behind an attack on Saudi Arabia that brought 5 percent of global oil production offline. (Saudi Arabia and the U.S.have expressed doubt about the Yemeni group's claim.)
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