By controlling trade routes and strategic corridors, major powers seek to secure political, economic, and military advantages. In recent years, several high-profile initiatives have emerged in this arena, including the Belt and Road Initiative, the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, and Iraq’s Development Road. “Gateways of Influence” is a special dossier that examines the most significant of these corridors, their strategic importance to the principal actors involved, their implications for rival powers, and their impact on both global trade flows and the geopolitical landscape.