The collapse of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire has reignited geopolitical instability, driving Brent crude prices toward $80 a barrel and signaling a return to market volatility. Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, characterizes the situation as "performative diplomacy," noting that the lack of a clear, durable framework and the exclusion of key regional stakeholders leave the Strait of Hormuz vulnerable. Simultaneously, Meta faces mounting legal pressure as nearly 30 states sue the company over its impact on teenage mental health. Casey Mock, Senior Policy Director for the Anxious Generation Movement, compares these lawsuits to historic Big Tobacco settlements, arguing that internal documents reveal the company’s awareness of the harm caused. With global inflation projected to rise and the conflict entering its 20th week, markets remain caught between optimistic pricing and the reality of persistent, unresolved systemic risks.
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