The “Hormuz Shadow”: Maritime Security Beyond the Navy

This commentary by BIPSS Research Assistant Farhana Rashid discusses the evolving concept of the “Hormuz Shadow,” where maritime security extends beyond naval power into economic, legal, and technological domains. It highlights how hybrid threats, shadow fleets, and sanctions networks reshape control over critical chokepoints. The piece further explores the 2026 crisis as a turning point, exposing the fragility of global energy flows. Ultimately, it argues for reimagining maritime security as a systemic, multi-layered challenge.