THE NEWREALITY OF GLOBAL ENERGY MARKETS: A STUDY OF THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMICIMPACT OF TURBULENCE IN THEMIDDLEEAST

Abstract

This article examines the political and economic impact of turbulence in the Middle East on global oil and gas trade. The authors analyze the specific mechanisms through which regional instability impacts global energy markets. Key attention is given to the events of the Arab Spring, the wars in Syria and Yemen, and sanctions pressure on Iran. Using quantitative and qualitative research methods, it is shown that instability in the region directly affects hydrocarbon prices and reduces the energy security of importing countries. The paper examines in detail the impact of conflicts on OPEC oil production, the functioning of strategic straits (Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb), and the dynamics of investment in regional energy infrastructure. The authors identify the relationship between conflicts, sanctions, and short-term price shocks; they also assess the long-term consequences for the global energy sector, including supplier diversification, the development of renewable energy, increased competition for transport routes, and the growing importance of cybersecurity. It is concluded that political instability in the Middle East continues to have a significant impact on global energy markets, causing both price volatility and structural shifts in the energy supply system.