Imperialist competition and wars that facilitate extractivism have long shaped the use of seaports for access to resources, markets, and devalued labor. In the last decade, countries in the chain of imperialist exploitation have increased attempts to restore the external domination of African ports and lands while producing conditions that ensure wars, instability, corruption, and perpetuate a cycle of theft and underdevelopment. The war on Iran is set to sharpen these conditions as countries like the UAE and Turkey attempt to maintain their positions in a crumbling system.