Al Jazeera English
How badly has the Iran war hit the global economy? The tell-tale signs
Oil and gas prices have surged in the wake of the Iran conflict, sending shockwaves through global markets and squeezing economies already grappling with post-pandemic pressures. Energy costs remain the clearest barometer of the war's economic reach, driving up inflation and disrupting supply chains across multiple sectors. The ripple effects serve as a stark reminder of how geopolitical instability in energy-rich regions can rapidly destabilize the broader global economy.
Read article →Straits Times
US officials predict quick end to Iran war, while Tehran says it can outlast foes
Iran and the United States are offering starkly different timelines for the current conflict, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright predicting resolution within weeks and a subsequent drop in energy prices. Tehran, meanwhile, is projecting defiance, insisting it can outlast its adversaries in a prolonged standoff. The gap between these assessments signals deep uncertainty over how the crisis will unfold and what it means for global markets.
Read article →Al Jazeera English
Nobody wants to get involved’ in Strait of Hormuz military operations
Western powers are increasingly unwilling to commit military resources to securing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil shipping lanes. The reluctance reflects broader fatigue with Middle East entanglements and uncertainty about the risks of escalation in a volatile region. The gap between strategic interest and political will leaves global energy markets exposed.
Read article →Straits Times
Israel expands its ground campaign in southern Lebanon
Israel escalated its military offensive in southern Lebanon on Monday, sending ground forces into new areas to strike Hezbollah targets. The expansion signals a broader push against the Iran-backed group, raising the stakes in an already volatile conflict. The move marks a significant deepening of Israeli military engagement beyond its earlier operations.
Read article →
SCMP
Why Iran strikes may drive Asian nuclear race, hit China in the Middle East: Zhao Tong
Israel's strikes on Iran could accelerate nuclear proliferation across Asia, as regional powers reassess the security guarantees they once took for granted. The precedent set by direct military action against a nuclear-threshold state forces countries like Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Japan to reconsider their own deterrence calculations. For China, the fallout is doubly complex — destabilization in the Middle East threatens its energy interests and Belt and Road investments at a time when Beijing can ill afford new vulnerabilities.
Read article →Get this delivered every morning
Join thousands of readers who get the world's most important stories, curated daily.
Start reading free →