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The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the strength and significance of global maritime trade in general, and Israeli maritime trade in particular. Furthermore, it seeks to analyze the various disruptions that have affected maritime trade in recent years, including exceptional events such as climate phenomena, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Swords of Iron war, whose ramifications are only beginning to emerge. In particular, this paper discusses the current disruptions in supply chains due to the Iranian and Houthi attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea. These disruptions indicate numerous weak points in the stability and operation of global supply chains, which are crucial for the national economies and security of numerous countries, particularly Israel. Over the past three years, the world has experienced a series of extreme events that have significantly affected various aspects of life, especially the global economy. This paper examines these events and their repercussions on global geo-logistics--the distribution of supply chains according to level and type. Additionally, it includes a description and analysis of Israeli foreign trade, specifically highlighting the import processes and the types of cargo that have been affected by the disruptions during the period in question. Israel's grain imports, which are vital for the country both in normal circumstances as well as during emergencies, are used as a case study. Furthermore, the paper also surveys the operational conditions, including challenges faced in the ports of origin of the various cargoes and recent challenges within this market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern realm of international business has grown to be more and more dependent on the international state of affairs, thus, geopolitics have become an indispensable tool for predicting and evaluating future risks or for identifying opportunities. Because the center of global economic power is slowly but surely shifting from the western countries to Asia, the geopolitical moves of Asian countries on „The Grand Chessboard” need to be studied and analyzed, especially the ones of the leading actor, China. Being the only pretender to overthrow the US from the position of the biggest world economy, China wants to establish new international economic relations, implicitly new trade routes, through which it can secure a supply line for the sale of its products. Thus, China proposes a New Silk Road which is dependent on a series of maritime choke points, amongst which are the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits or better known as the Turkish Straits. This paper studies the future geopolitical and economic implications for this choke point if the New Silk Road comes in existence. The study utilises maritime economic data and geopolitical theory in order to assess the future risks and opportunities that derive from the establishment of the New Silk Road. The analyze results, indicates that the Turkish choke point will change the geopolitics and economics of Eastern Europe. The importance of this is that the countries that are directly linked with the New Silk Road can maximize their advantages in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choke points and airway wall structure in expiratory central airway collapse are poorly defined. Computed tomography, white light bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound, vibration response imaging, spirometry, impulse oscillometry, negative expiratory pressure, and intraluminal catheter airway pressure measurements were used in a patient with cough, dyspnea, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Computed tomography and white light bronchoscopy identified dynamic collapse of the trachea and mainstem bronchi, consistent with severe crescent tracheobronchomalacia. Spirometry showed severe obstruction. Endobronchial ultrasound revealed collapse of the airway cartilage, and vibration response imaging revealed fluttering at both lung zones. Impulse oscillometry and negative expiratory pressure suggested tidal expiratory flow limitation in the intrathoracic airways. Intraluminal catheter airway pressure measurements identified the choke point in the lower trachea. After Y-stent insertion, the choke point migrated distally. Imaging studies revealed improved airway dynamics, airway patency, and ventilatory function. Novel imaging and physiologic assessments could be used to localize choke points and airway wall structure in tracheobronchomalacia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]