US-Israel-Iran: Implications for Geopolitics, International Law and the Global Economy

Attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran have prompted retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, hitting Israel and countries that host US bases in the region. Critics have argued that the operation is both illegal under US law without congressional approval and a violation of international law. Spillover effects are already emerging, with oil prices rising and Iran attempting to close the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that handles nearly a quarter of the world's seaborne oil trade. This dialogue jointly organised by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) and the Middle East Institute (MEI) will examine the geopolitical, legal, and economic questions arising from the crisis. What are the political implications of the conflict, not just for the Middle East, but for the rest of the world including Southeast Asia and Singapore?   Does this action by the US and Israel mean an upending of the basic tenets of international law? What does this mean for countries like Singapore?   What impact, both immediate and in the medium to long-term, could this have on trade with the Middle East and for businesses in general?