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Global Perspectives: US-Israel War on Iran
Welcome to Khanversations Institute’s page on Global Perspectives. Here we feature scholars from different parts of the world who will essentially address two questions. One, how is the U.S.-Israel war on Iran impacting the global order? This war clearly has global ramifications, but does it also have structural ramifications? Is it changing world order? And if so, how? And the second question our experts will address is what impact is this war having on the global economy and the economies of their countries or their regions? This page is edited and curated by Dr. Muqtedar Khan. He is professor of International Relations at the University of Delaware and a Senior Nonresident Fellow of the Middle East Policy Council.
Table of Contents
- Security Spirals and Economic Realignment — Dr. Francis Espinoza Figueroa
https://tinyurl.com/5n6v9b79 - From Hegemony to Multipolarity — Dr. Mukesh Kumar
https://tinyurl.com/4vyh34pn - From Rules-Based Order to Power Politics — Ibrahim Enes Aksu
https://tinyurl.com/bde3k3ew - The Iran War and Indonesia — Dr. Arie Afriansyah
https://tinyurl.com/mr2mk57d - From Intervention to Fragmentation — Tasmia Tabassum Sadia
https://tinyurl.com/54fnw67a - A Turning Point — Dr. Francis Kwabena Atta
https://tinyurl.com/2hn85pe7 - From Ukraine to Iran — Gaurav Bilthariya
https://tinyurl.com/yn6ymmkv - The Impact of US-Iran War on Global Political Order — Dr. Naeem Ahmed
https://tinyurl.com/ufxcaet7
Security Spirals and Economic Realignment: The Iran–US-Israeli Conflict in a Shifting World Order
By Dr Francis Espinoza Figueroa (Chile)
The escalating conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance demands rigorous analysis through the lens of the ‘security spiral’. As tensions overflow traditional alignments, the ‘security dilemma’ emerges not merely as a theoretical concept, but as a force pulling actors toward a confrontation that, paradoxically, none of them seeks. This spiral is fueled by systemic mistrust: military build-ups and the consolidation of strategic alliances — US-Israel on one side, Iran-Russia-China on the other — are perceived by adversaries as direct threats, provoking responses that only deepen instability. As Pierre de Senarcles (1991) warned, in the absence of a global authority capable of imposing order, nations remain trapped in a perpetual cycle of peace and war. Under this logic, great powers treat the world as a geopolitical chessboard, moving pieces solely to perpetuate their hegemony. For smaller nations, however, this is no abstract game. Diplomatic rhetoric alone will not be sufficient to offset it.
The global economic architecture is undergoing an irreversible transformation. While Donald Trump’s tariff escalation began shifting the international economic order, the conflict between the United States and Iran has marked a definitive turning point in global economic dynamics. We are witnessing a return to ‘original realism’, in which the gains achieved through multilateralism — first under GATT and later the WTO — are yielding to raw power and national self-interest. The world’s ten largest oil producers — the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Canada, China, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Iran, and Kuwait — account for 71% of global crude output. These energy powers forge relationships of interdependence shaped by their own strategic priorities rather than the needs of recipient nations. The emerging order thus falls within what may be termed cooperation under conditions of hegemony.
Dr Francis Espinoza Figueroa is an Associate Professor and Researcher at the Catholic University of the North, Antofagasta, Chile. Her r
esearch interests include International Relations, Higher Education Policy, Science and Technology, Disinformation, Postmigration, and the exercise of soft power among the European Union, the United States, and Latin America.
From Hegemony to Multipolarity:How the Iran Conflict Is Reshaping Global Power
By Dr. Mukesh Kumar (India)
The U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran has accelerated the emergence of a new global order. For years, the world had been moving toward multipolarity, driven by China’s rise and the growing influence of groupings such as ASEAN, the SCO, and BRICS — all of which challenged Western dominance with Beijing at their core. Having consolidated its influence across East and Southeast Asia, China has steadily expanded into South Asia, West Asia, and Africa, a trajectory made easier by Donald Trump’s return. By weaponizing tariffs against both rivals and allies, he has isolated the United States from key partners, including Canada, while his “America First” approach has deepened fractures within NATO and weakened Washington’s position in the Middle East.
Iran, meanwhile, has not only resisted but shaped key narratives: that the U.S. cannot guarantee security for Arab states; that American power can be challenged; that dependence on Washington must be reduced if states like Israel are to be restrained; that Iran is not isolated, with visible backing from China and Russia; and that U.S. pressure has limits due to its own vulnerabilities. The conflict has also triggered economic shifts. By asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has rattled the global economy, particularly oil-dependent countries such as India and Japan. India, in turn, has been forced to purchase more expensive oil from Russia and the United States, adding strain to an already slowing economy.
Control over Hormuz has further accelerated de-dollarization. Iran is trading oil and collecting transit tolls in yuan, while the UAE has signaled a possible shift from the petrodollar to the petroyuan — a potential blow to American financial dominance. Taken together, the Gulf conflict is shaking the foundations of U.S. hegemony and giving fresh momentum to a multipolar world order.
Dr. Mukesh Kumar is a distinguished personality in Indian media, boasting an impressive career spanning 39 years, including 25 years in electronic media. Renowned for his versatility, he excels as an anchor, YouTuber, writer, columnist, poet, and academician. Currently, 
Dr. Mukesh Kumar holds the position of Editor at Satyahindi.com and its associated YouTube channel which has more than 3.6 million subscribers.
From Rules-Based Order to Power Politics: The Iran War’s Global Impact
Ibrahim Enes Aksu (Turkiye)
The current U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran is not simply destabilizing the existing system; it is accelerating a shift from a rules-based order toward a more fragmented, power-centered one. It intensifies great-power rivalry by creating openings for China and Russia to present themselves as alternative diplomatic and economic actors, while raising doubts about the credibility and consistency of U.S. leadership. At the same time, the war reinforces deterrence logics—especially nuclear ones—as states may read Iran’s vulnerability as evidence that non-nuclear regimes face greater coercive risks. Regionally, the conflict is unlikely to yield a decisive outcome; instead, it entrenches asymmetric warfare, proxy networks, and strategic uncertainty, prolonging instability and diffusing risks across the Middle East and beyond.
Economically, the war is generating significant spillover effects across energy markets, trade routes, and regional financial systems. Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for global oil flows—have driven up energy prices, increased shipping costs, and added to global inflationary pressures. For countries like Turkey, the impact is particularly acute. As an energy importer with deep trade ties to the Middle East, it faces rising import costs, currency strain, and greater exposure to regional instability, even as it may gain limited opportunities through rerouted trade or expanded energy transit roles, such as the Kirkuk–Ceyhan pipeline. More broadly, institutions like the IMF and WTO warn that prolonged volatility could slow global growth, raise risk premiums, and accelerate the geopolitical restructuring of supply chains. Overall, the conflict is not just a regional crisis but a driver of a more securitized, segmented, and risk-sensitive global economic order.
Ibrahim Enes Aksu is a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware. His research 
focuses on populism, national security, and political transformations in the Middle East and broader Islamic world. He is the founder of Aksu Global Policy Consulting, a venture dedicated to geopolitical analysis and policy advisory. His work appears in prestigious academic and policy publications, including Routledge, E-International Relations, and Newlines Institute.
The Iran War and Indonesia: Law, Energy Security, and Strategic Resilience
By Dr. Arie Afriansyah (Indonesia)
From Indonesia’s perspective, the war in Iran poses a serious challenge to the application of international law when armed conflict involves major powers and their close allies. The crisis illustrates how principles such as sovereignty, the prohibition on the use of force, proportionality, the protection of civilians, and the peaceful settlement of disputes are often applied unevenly in real-world geopolitics. For Indonesia, this underscores the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the relevant branches of international law, including the law of the sea, international humanitarian law, and the law governing the use of force. The conflict is not only about territorial attacks or military operations, but also about maritime routes, navigation, energy flows, and the protection of civilian and commercial interests.
The war also carries direct implications for Indonesia’s national resilience. Indonesia must reconsider its continued dependence on external energy supplies, especially given that instability in the Middle East can quickly affect fuel prices, inflation, fiscal pressures, and overall economic stability. At the same time, Indonesia needs to strengthen the protection of its citizens and national interests abroad, including Indonesian nationals in conflict-prone areas, Indonesian-flagged vessels, and other ships carrying Indonesian economic interests.
The lesson is clear: Indonesia’s foreign policy position must combine principled support for international law with practical preparedness to safeguard energy security, maritime interests, and citizens beyond its territory.
Arie Afriansyah Currently, Arie is a Professor of International Law at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Indonesia. Apart from teaching, he works
primarily on the law of the sea and maritime security. He is also the chief editor of the Indonesian Journal of International Law and the Indonesian Yearbook of International Law.
From Intervention to Fragmentation: How the Iran War Is Reshaping the Global Order
By Tasmiha Tabassum Sadia (Bangladesh)
The U.S.–Israeli war on Iran aggravates the decline of the post-war international order, with far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the battlefield. The intervention, portrayed as a defense of democratic values, represents a unilateral use of force against a sovereign country. It marks a stark departure from the rules of territorial integrity and non-aggression that have, to some extent, supported global stability. The intervention suggests that Washington has not internalized key strategic lessons from Russia’s prolonged war in Ukraine or from the destabilizing consequences of its own interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. This has contributed to a significant erosion of its credibility as a guarantor of a rules-based order, leaving the global community in a state of uncertainty.
The economic repercussions of the conflict, particularly due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—which accounts for roughly one-fifth of global oil transport—have triggered a supply shock. A Reuters report highlights rising inflation and concerns over food supplies, contributing to broader economic strain. Apart from the Middle East, Asian economies remain among the most vulnerable, as they rely heavily on energy imports, industrial supply chains, and remittances from Gulf states. The United States, too, faces growing economic pressures as consumer goods prices rise. The conflict is contributing to the broader destabilization of the global economy, underscoring the risks of overdependence on fragile supply chains. It also pushes the world further toward fragmentation, weakening the already fragile norms of inclusive mediation, preventive diplomacy, and the protection of human rights.
Tasmiha Tabassum Sadia is a PhD student in Political Science at the University of Delaware, focusing on political violence, ethnic conflict, and conflict resolution, particularly in post-colonial and divided societies.
A Turning Point: Iran War and the Decline of U.S. Leadership
By Dr. Francis Kwabena Atta (Ghana)
For the first time, Iran has tested and appears satisfied with its ability to target American and Israeli interests in the Middle East. The United States and Israel, in turn, have experienced direct confrontation with Iran since June 2025. These developments could prove epochal, fundamentally altering relationships not only among these states but also with their Arab neighbors. Regardless of how or when this war ends, a return to pre-war regional dynamics appears unlikely. The war also clarifies the long-standing debate about the nature of the global order—whether unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar. The shift may have begun with the second Trump administration, as policies on tariffs, NATO, immigration, and territorial ambitions strained Western cohesion. Over time, these tensions have weakened decades-old solidarity. The war in Iran now exposes what appears to be declining American leadership within the Western order. Allies have shown an unusual willingness to defy the United States, prioritizing national interests and principles. For NATO, the divisions revealed by the Iran crisis may endure well beyond Trump.
Meanwhile, major powers like Russia and China benefit from the disorder, while smaller states are reasserting themselves. A notable example is the March 25, 2026, United Nations vote, where Ghana led the African Union to secure overwhelming support for a resolution declaring the trafficking and enslavement of Africans the gravest crime against humanity—despite opposition from the United States, Europe, and Israel. Although unrelated to the Iran war, the contrast is striking: Washington failed to mobilize support while Ghana succeeded on a similarly contentious issue. Such outcomes signal a weakening Western-led order, a trend the Iran war appears to be accelerating.
Dr. Francis Kwabena Atta is Head of the Politics Department at Lancaster University Ghana. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and his research focuses on the nexus between transnational violence and regional integration in West Africa.
From Ukraine to Iran: Testing the Limits of Global Power and Order
By Gaurav Bilthariya (India)
The Ukraine war proves that Russia could be stopped, and the Iran war is proving that the USA could be resisted. Yet, the Iran war marks a real precipice for the Liberal International Order (LIO). Both the software—international law (IL)—and the hardware—international organizations (IO)—of the LIO have undergone severe reshaping of norms, particularly by China, Russia, and the USA. This has been further exacerbated by the relative weakening of the Permanent Five (P-5) members and the nuclear weapon states under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), compared to the Core-5. Just as the failure to accommodate the security needs of re-emerging states like Japan, China, and India caused the Security Council to lose relevance, the failure to attune to the political arrangements of the JCPOA led to the disinhibition of the technological realities of an “old science.”
The growing ineffectiveness of international law and the United Nations is heralding an era of contestation over the global commons, dismantling the crucial bedrock of globalization, and reviving pre–World War risks such as chokeholds and blockades. As states seek to de-risk, trends toward reshoring, friend-shoring, and near-shoring are intensifying, as demonstrated by India and the European Union. Furthermore, the Iran war could accentuate the shift toward renewables while stressing the petrodollar system. Even though the trajectory toward “de-dollarization” remains erratic, the greatest aggravator to the dollar’s preeminence is the inconsistency of U.S. policies, which forces countries to hedge through bilateral arrangements. The ongoing wars in Ukraine and West Asia pose compounding risks to global growth and security, including the incipient collapse of U.S.-China economic ties, reinforcing an unstable multipolarity in the world.
Gaurav Bilthariya, Doctoral Candidate, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and Parliamentary and Geopolitical Consultant.
The Impact of the US-Iran War on Global Political Order
By Dr. Naeem Ahmed (Pakistan)
Regardless of whether the US/Israel–Iran war remains prolonged and inconclusive, it has already dealt a significant blow to the global political order. A major shift in geopolitical dynamics is likely in the coming years for four key reasons. First, the US-led liberal international order is under intense scrutiny, as Western ideals of democracy, freedom, and human rights are being undermined by power politics, where force overrides international norms. Second, the war has exposed fissures within alliance systems: European allies have distanced themselves from the US, raising questions about NATO’s future, while Gulf allies are exploring alternative security arrangements, exemplified by the Saudi Arabia–Pakistan defense pact. Third, the diminishing role of the UN has weakened trust among smaller states in its ability to restrain powerful actors. Fourth, Iran’s strategy of engaging a superpower through asymmetric means—such as threatening the Strait of Hormuz and deploying drone technology—has proven effective, reshaping the nature of modern warfare and challenging US military dominance. At the same time, US missteps in the Gulf have created strategic openings for China and Russia, which have cautiously supported Iran to sustain its resilience without direct escalation.
Economically, the war has generated severe global disruptions. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has strained oil supply chains and pushed prices above $100 per barrel, destabilizing energy-dependent economies across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Beyond oil, the conflict has disrupted LNG supplies, petrochemicals, aviation, and global commodity markets, heightening the risk of a global recession. Gulf economies, particularly the UAE, have faced declining investor confidence, undermining their status as safe havens for investment and tourism. Moreover, the UAE’s decision to withdraw from OPEC+ has raised concerns about the cohesion of these institutions and challenged Saudi leadership in global energy markets.
In conclusion, whether the war continues or ends soon, its long-term consequences for the global political order and economy are likely to persist for decades.
Dr. Naeem Ahmed is Chairperson, Department of International Relations, University of Karachi. His research interests include domestic and regional security of South Asia, with a focus on religious extremism, counterterrorism, Pakistan–US relations, nuclear issues, and Kashmir.
