Gulf shipping, Iraqi trade access, Chinese infrastructure expansion, and US-Iran military escalation are now concentrated around a new, narrow stretch of water near Kuwait’s Bubiyan Island, which is the target of intensifying gaming. This week, Kuwait formally accused IRGC-linked operatives of attempting an armed infiltration of the island after Kuwaiti forces intercepted a fishing boat earlier this month and exchanged fire with the group, leaving one Kuwaiti officer wounded. Kuwait summoned the Iranian ambassador and accused Tehran…