MEI Annual Conference 2026 - Panel 1

[MEI Flagship Event] The U.S.–Israeli war against Iran, launched on 28 February, rapidly escalated into a broader conflict that drew Gulf states into the fray. Civilian infrastructure in Dubai, Doha, and the rest of the Arabian Peninsula was soon caught in the line of fire, transforming the crisis into a full-fledged regional war with far-reaching consequences for security, geopolitical alignments, and economic stability. Iran’s subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent shockwaves through global energy markets and threatened critical trade routes, with South-east Asia bearing the brunt of the turmoil. Against this backdrop, the Middle East Institute’s Annual Conference 2026 will convene three expert-led panels to examine the war’s global repercussions. The discussions assessed not only the immediate impact on the Middle East but also the broader implications for Singapore and the wider East and South-east Asian region. Mr Chan Chun Sing, Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence, opened the conference.