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Opinion / Middle East
While the rest of the world is mainly concerned about the energy disruptions caused by the Iran war, the Gulf countries are more anxious about the Islamic Republic’s threats to their desalination facilities. If the US attempts to seize Kharg Island, it could spell disaster for the region's "saltwater kingdoms."
Iran’s wider goal is to raise global energy prices, including those for Gulf oil-dependent Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines and Vietnam.
If the current war creates a prolonged oil crisis, there will be more downward pressure on oil use – and an equal acceleration in China of electric car production at home, with an associated surge in exports.
Food & Agriculture
The war in Iran could create a fertiliser shock, risking global food prices and farming
Around a third of globally traded urea passes through the Strait of Hormuz and importing countries are less self-sufficient than they appear.
All Middle East Opinion
5 March 2026
22 January 2026
Food & Agriculture
How to feed ten billion people
31 December 2025
Food & Agriculture
War and weather show how fragile food systems are - we must act
15 December 2025
8 December 2025
Manufacturing
The critical minerals race is putting the planet at risk
13 November 2025
Carbon & Climate
From Rio to Belém: The long unravelling of climate consensus
6 October 2025
18 September 2025
Carbon & Climate
Why the climate crisis must reshape how we think about war
8 September 2025
Policy & Finance
What chaos at the US CDC could mean for the rest of the world
11 August 2025
Food & Agriculture
Feed the world but feed it well: Why food systems must be reformed
8 August 2025
25 July 2025
Policy & Finance
The scramble for critical minerals
3 July 2025
Manufacturing
The delicate art of natural resource diplomacy
13 February 2025
20 November 2024
Policy & Finance
COP29 must deliver the goods
15 October 2024
Policy & Finance
Harmonising loss and damage finance will be key to COP29
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