Are we at the tipping point for global energy supplies?

Are we at the tipping point for global energy supplies?

Author: Financial Times May 18, 2026 Duration: 12:09

The cost for companies to circumvent shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is reaching record levels, and the world is bracing for an energy cliff edge this summer as the US-Iran war continues. But the war hasn’t deterred investment firms from betting on the Middle East, and we have an update on the UK’s political turmoil.


Mentioned in this podcast:

Sweeping the strait: the companies gearing up to clear the Gulf of mines

Gulf freight rates jump as shipping companies turn to trucks to move cargo

What life is like on the stranded ships of the Gulf

Iran energy crisis enters new phase as peak summer season looms

Investment firms look beyond Iran war to expand in Middle East

Labour reopens Brexit debate

Is being prime minister now an impossible job?

Political Fix podcast


Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com


Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 


Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Katya Kumkova and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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Start your morning with the essential context for the day ahead. FT News Briefing, directly from the Financial Times newsroom, cuts through the noise to deliver a concise, authoritative overview of the global business and political developments that truly matter. Each episode is a focused, ten-minute digest designed for the time-pressed, offering clarity on complex market movements, geopolitical shifts, and economic policy decisions. You’ll hear the FT’s expert analysis woven into the reporting, providing not just the headlines but the underlying forces at play. This daily podcast serves as an efficient primer, whether you’re commuting or preparing for your first meeting, ensuring you’re informed on the stories that will define conversations in boardrooms and beyond. Released every weekday morning, it’s a reliable filter for the overwhelming flow of information, built on the FT’s legacy of rigorous journalism. Tune in to transform the way you catch up on world events, turning a few minutes into a strategic advantage for your day.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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