Mmegi

How gulf conflicts trigger global shocks

The Middle East’s energy infrastructure is a critical pillar of the global economic system. Crude oil from the Persian Gulf underpins the functioning of industrial economies worldwide, and its uninterrupted flow is a prerequisite for macroeconomic stability.

During the June 2025 conflict involving Israel, Iran and the United States, this dependency was exposed through the abrupt and significant increase in crude oil futures.

Financial markets rapidly priced in heightened risk, illustrating how deeply geopolitical volatility in this region is embedded in the valuation logic of global commodity markets. Specifically, oil prices surged by up to 15% during the peak of hostilities, not because supply had already been curtailed, but due to the perceived plausibility of future disruption.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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