Insights

The Iran conflict is entering its ninth week, but the damage it’s wrought may last years.

First and foremost is the human toll: lives lost, families displaced, homes and businesses damaged. But beyond regional borders, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has spurred a global energy and food crisis. Around 45 million more people could face food insecurity by June if the conflict persists.

The global ripple effects of what is a fairly localized conflict underscore a hard truth: The systems on which we all rely — energy and food— are highly vulnerable to shocks. This is just as true for war as it is for other systemic shocks, be they trade wars or pandemics, extreme weather or climate change. Our new focus must be resilience — both to confront the threats of today and prepare for those of tomorrow.