The strategically positioned Red Sea country of Eritrea is coming under the radar of Arab capitals as a potential linchpin in Saudi Arabia and the UAE's Red Sea rivalry. Two Arab officials familiar with recent diplomacy revealed that Egypt is trying to broker deeper security links between Eritrea and Saudi Arabia, with an eye towards checking the UAE's influence as it increases military ties to Ethiopia. These developments are reportedly inspired by a defense deal struck between Sudan's military and Pakistan in January, which is widely understood to be financed by Saudi Arabia. The three-way diplomacy underscores the complex and shifting alliances rippling across the Red Sea. While Eritrea and Egypt were historically seen as close to the UAE, ties have become strained over regional conflicts, leading to a new focus on Asmara as a critical security partner for maritime stability.