Oil prices have surged dramatically in recent weeks, with Brent crude exceeding $100 per barrel, as the US-led conflict with Iran disrupts critical shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz and creates supply uncertainties in global energy markets. This spike comes as President Trump has engaged in military actions against Iran, leading to volatile markets and higher gasoline prices that are now impacting consumers and broader economic stability. The New York Times reports that these energy price increases have provided a sudden boost to Russia's wartime economy, reversing prior revenue declines and funding its efforts in Ukraine despite Western sanctions. Similarly, the Atlantic Council has detailed how US decisions to issue temporary waivers on Russian oil imports aim to mitigate price shocks but risk sustaining Moscow's military capabilities amid the turmoil. These developments highlight deeper patterns: geopolitical conflicts increasingly dictate energy flows, exposing vulnerabilities in resource control where chokepoints like Hormuz—handling 20% of global oil—become strategic levers. Trump's public statements acknowledging the trade-offs of 'fighting wars' while facing constraints on domestic programs like Medicare and Medicaid underscore a potential shift toward prioritizing defense spending, a hallmark of wartime economic footing. This intersects with inflation drivers, as elevated oil costs ripple through supply chains, food prices, and consumer goods, forcing policy choices between military commitments and social safety nets. Additional context from economic analyses shows the conflict has upended expectations of post-election economic booms, with sustained high energy prices threatening fiscal balances and global alliances.