[Kang Seung Jae]

Originally Posted by Dean_the_Young

Because Suez is so much more important than oil? Britannia has never been shown to have to work with low energy sources, solar power alone is already a major energy source in First World areas judging from all the settlements we see, and when it comes down to it, cutting off a major trade/supply route will have profound implications.

If Britannia can seize Suez, it means a number of things. It bisects the European Union from Africa, and prevents men and material from Africa from freely flowing elsewhere. The ability to supply and maintain control over Suez and bits of the Middle East means that Britannia can secure supply lines over North Africa, which in turn means that little African support can get through the Mediterranean, even if Britannia doesn't hold Gibralter. (And if Britannia does, that's even worse for Europe.) Without relying on Chinese aid and ports, suddenly all materials from Africa can no longer go to the east coast and go through Suez: they have to go around the long way, along the coast and across the Eastern Atlantic, or other equally risky measures.

And, of course, once Britain can snatch Suez, it would mean beating Europe's North Africa forces, allowing them to snatch other parts of North Africa at their leisure.

Not appliable, in my view: The Suez was important in that it was the gateway to India. Given that most African resources are on the west coast in the first place, losing the Suez wouldn't harm EU as much as it would have hurt Britain in our world.