War in the Middle East is once again shaking global energy markets, with the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran pushing oil prices higher and raising concerns about disruptions to major shipping routes. While the fighting is thousands of miles away, the economic effects can travel quickly. For Jamaica, a small island economy dependent on imported energy and global trade, geopolitical crises in the Middle East can translate into higher fuel costs, rising transportation expenses and wider pressure on the cost of living.
