Link to the article: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/3/20/will-russian-oil-be-the-biggest-winner-in-the-us-israel-war-on-iran
The article discusses how Russian oil has emerged as a major beneficiary of the ongoing U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Disruptions to oil exports caused by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy supplies, have created a shortage that countries are seeking to fill. In response, the U.S. temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil, allowing it to be sold to select nations and increasing Russia’s revenue significantly in the early weeks of the conflict. Tankers originally bound for China have been rerouted to India, while Russia continues to supply other nations such as Turkiye and smaller Southeast Asian markets through complex shipping arrangements. Analysts note that Russia has effectively become a primary supplier amid the crisis, with prices for Urals crude rising sharply due to heightened demand. The article illustrates how geopolitical conflict can reshape energy markets, shift trade flows, and create unexpected economic advantages for nations outside the immediate conflict zone.
This article emphasizes how, while wars can create a lot of losers, they can also create unintended winners. It shows how much a war can impact the global economy, even being beneficial for some. This can greatly increase Russia’s income, but could be very bad for countries around the world if conflicts within Asia aren’t settled, meaning oil prices will continue to rise. However, this scenario could finally push some countries to become fully independent on gaining energy. In the long run, Russian dominance of oil could create more problems than solutions.
Russia could, and probably will, continue to focus on oil production, gaining as much income as possible before conflicts in the Middle East die down. The United States may continue to push sanctions on Russia, focusing on national interests and their role as a global hegemon. Other countries, specifically ones in good standing with Russia, will keep buying oil from them, helping Russian income and undermining U.S. sanctions if they continue. IGOs like the UN can provide help to hopefully ensure safety in the Middle East, but they don’t have enough power to enforce certain agreements.
This connects to class because with the United States implementations of sanctions on Russian oil, it brings into play international law and enforcement. No one can necessarily stop Russia from breaking these sanctions unless the United States wants to create tensions, which seems unlikely due to their ongoing conflict with Iran. Also, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, it brings into question the idea of free trade and international waters, but since there is no international government to enforce, it is hard to get this Strait reopened without Iran approval. Overall, without proper enforcement, it is difficult to ensure country compliance and push them to cooperate with one another.