AP Photo

China and Iran are constructing a series of strategically placed harbors – their strings of salt water pearls – partially for independent strategic reasons but equally to ensure maritime commerce in oil, gas, other licit resources, and illicit technologies between both nations can continue uninterrupted. Those ports provide facilities for the two countries’ warships as well, extending their military power into a region hitherto dominated by theU.S., Britain, and India. To ensure the Indian Ocean’s vital transportation lanes continue remaining accessible to all nations and transfer of prohibited items does not occur, theU.S and Britain need to remain actively engaged in building political, social, and economic relations with several nations in South...