Global Scans · Middle East · Weekly Summary

• [New] A fragile truce in the Middle East, persistent energy-driven inflation, shifting U.S. trade policy and escalating regional pressures from Europe to Africa will collectively shape geopolitical risk in the third quarter. Stratfor
• [New] The risks remain visible today: the Middle East conflict has left dozens of container ships stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, delaying shipments of food, fuel and vehicles and highlighting how quickly geopolitical shocks can ripple through global trade. Dare, HEC Media Hub
• [New] The disruption to shipping caused by conflict in the Middle East is the latest reminder of the fragility of global supply chains. Dare, HEC Media Hub
• [New] Middle East energy developments and trade tariff policies could affect import costs and corporate margins. GO Markets
• [New] Two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude to Asia reversed course in the Red Sea on Tuesday after threats from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, as a widening Middle East conflict disrupted shipping through two of the world's most critical energy chokepoints. Counter Extremism Project
• [New] Mortgage rates are likely to stay at a similar level to what they are now over the next 5-years, as the fallout from the conflict in the Middle East means rates will likely stay higher for longer. Tembo Money
• [New] The IMF also warned that the possibility of a renewed Middle East conflict looms large and could extend commodity price volatility, further threaten supply chains, raise prices, and weigh on financial conditions. The Daily Star
• [New] The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global production and trade in hydrogen-based products, exposing vulnerabilities in supply chains that underpin fertiliser production, refining and chemicals manufacturing. IEA
• [New] In the Middle East, government-backed hydrogen projects increasingly combine renewable energy development, export infrastructure, and industrial diversification, creating opportunities for dedicated transmission systems linked to large-scale production facilities. Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence
• [New] In Europe, Hungary's election will test Prime Minister Viktor Orban's long hold on power in April, while in the Middle East, Israel is set to hold a closely contested legislative election by October, against a backdrop of ongoing political and regional tensions. Statista Daily Data
• [New] Inflationary pressures in the Eurozone have proven stickier than initially projected, in part because energy price volatility linked to Middle East tensions has repeatedly disrupted the disinflation path. UCapital24 Media
• [New] If oil prices are expected to move after an escalation in the Middle East, a crypto-native oil perp can provide a place to hedge before conventional futures reopen. Business Finance News - Follow the Money. Understand th
• [New] Resumed Middle East hostilities, increasing tariffs, and the artificial intelligence buildout suggest upside risks to inflation, creating problems for the Fed and hinting at tightening in 2026. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] Electricity demand across the Middle East and North Africa has tripled since 2000 and is projected to rise another 50% by 2035, driven heavily by cooling, desalination, and the rapid expansion of data centers. Energy Connects
• [New] Two key risks to the Australian outlook and Budget are protracted tension in the Middle East and a steep decline in the Chinese economy. Russell Investments
• [New] Additional fieldwork in North Africa and the Middle East will uncover more fossils that clarify how modern apes originated and began to diversify. ScienceDaily
• [New] Geopolitical supply disruptions tied to Middle East tensions have begun easing, while OPEC has trimmed its 2026 world demand growth forecast to 780,000 barrels per day. Polymarket
• [New] SLB's central investment debate is whether offshore growth, the ChampionX acquisition, and emerging data-center opportunities can offset Middle East disruptions and weakness in its existing operations. TIKR.com
• [New] Middle East disruption is expected to cut Upstream earnings by $0.6 billion to $0.8 billion and Energy Products by $0.2 billion to $0.4 billion. TIKR.com
• [New] The dollar has climbed as escalating tensions in the Middle East spark concerns over energy supply disruptions and fuel expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates. financialpost
• [New] The latest revisions show how quickly the fuel picture has changed again, following the breakdown of a ceasefire with Iran and renewed shipping disruptions across the Middle East. Aerotime
• If geopolitical tensions do subside, led by a resolution in the Middle East that fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz, inflationary pressure could ease. Commonwealth Financial Network
• Regional Insights The Asia-Pacific and Middle East / Africa markets are projected to lead in user numbers, contributing substantially to TikTok's global user base. Enrich Labs

Last updated: 02 August 2026