Ecological Statecraft in the Midst of War: Water, Regeneration, and the Future of Gulf Security
Publisher: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Author(s): Olivia Lazard and Ali Bin Shahid
Date: 2026
Topics: Conflict Causes, Renewable Resources, Weapons, Waste, and Pollution
Countries: Iran, Israel, United States
The 2026 US-Iran war is radiating through the Gulf’s energy systems, maritime routes, supply chains, food corridors, financial flows, and regional diplomacy—and its effects will be long-lasting. In energy markets, the war is accelerating demand toward more autonomous sources like renewables. On food, the world is bracing for a compound crisis: a convergence of disrupted fertilizer supply chains, inflationary pressures, and El Niño–induced crop failures. These are cascading trends that will demand sustained attention for years to come.