War in the Middle East: Global Faultlines

Wars in the Middle East rarely remain regional for long. Their consequences travel quickly—through energy markets, supply chains, financial systems, diplomacy and domestic politics far beyond the region.

In recent weeks, the conflict has entered a far more dangerous phase. Israel and the United States have launched sustained aerial strikes on Iran, triggering a cycle of retaliation whose full consequences are still unfolding. While the destruction has been severe, the deeper impact lies in the second- and third-order effects now rippling through the global economy and geopolitical order.

At Founding Fuel, our coverage has sought to move beyond the immediacy of headlines. Even before the latest escalation, our analysis examined the structural tensions shaping the region—energy dependencies, shifting alliances and the evolving balance of power.

Understanding the Middle East, however, also requires looking beyond the battlefield. In a special weekend series, we explored the region through its culture, literature and cinema.

This collection brings together our reporting and essays that help place the conflict—and the region itself—in a wider historical, cultural and geopolitical context.

(This Collection reflects our editorial judgment at a point in time. We revisit and refine it as our thinking evolves.)