Energy Shock, Inflation Pressures and Fragile Supply Chains Raise Concerns Over Global Recovery The global economy entered 2026 with cautious optimism. Inflation had begun to cool after years of post-pandemic turbulence, labor markets remained resilient in major economies, and technological innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence, was fueling new waves of investment and productivity gains. Yet that fragile recovery has now been disrupted by a deepening geopolitical crisis in the Middle East, prompting the United Nations to revise downward its expectations for global economic growth and warn of mounting risks for both developed and developing nations. According to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 Mid-year Update released by the United Nations, global GDP growth is now expected to reach just 2.5% in 2026, down from the 2.7% forecast issued earlier in January. While the report anticipates a moderate rebound to 2.8% in 2027, economists and policymakers are...