NOTE: Before answering the questions, check out the “Background” and watch the video under “Resources.”

1. Today’s post contains news reports from several sources. List 5 facts that you think are most important to know about this story.

2. What do you think about the conflicting messages given by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s advisor, Mohab Mamish, a former chairman of the Suez Canal Authority and current Suez Canal Authority (SCA) chairman Osama Rabie?

3. What do you think shipping companies and Egyptian officials can/should do to address potential problems with two possible solutions being done/considered?
a) rerouting the hundreds of ships backing up at the Suez Canal around the Cape of Good Hope: time, cost, piracy threats (especially from Somalia and Yemen)
b) removing some of the ship’s cargo containers to help refloat it: need the proper equipment and expertise, removing containers endanger the ship’s balance

4. a) The U.S. Navy is prepared to send a team of dredging experts to the canal.
a) How effective do you think our team would be in solving the problem?
b) How likely do you think it is to expect the Egyptian government to ask President Biden to do so?
Explain your answers.