Summary: The global energy crisis in 2026 demonstrates that the world oil market remains highly vulnerable to geopolitical conflicts, particularly those involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. These conflicts have triggered crude oil prices to rise far above their fundamental levels. Theoretically, Brent crude oil prices were expected to remain within the range of US$58–64 per barrel because global supply was projected to exceed demand. However, market realities showed that Brent prices reached US$105–107 per barrel due to disruptions in distribution, threats of closure of the Strait of Hormuz, market speculation, and increasing energy logistics costs. These conditions have contributed to global inflation, rising gasoline prices, and declining purchasing power in many countries. The United States has become one of the countries most severely affected socially and politically. National gasoline prices exceeded US$4 per gallon and triggered large-scale demonstrations through the “No Kings” movement. These protests were not solely caused by rising energy prices but also evolved into broader criticism of the Iran war, inflation, the rising cost of living, immigration policies, cuts to social spending, and a style of leadership perceived as increasingly authoritarian. This phenomenon illustrates that an energy crisis can evolve into a socio-political crisis when governments are perceived as failing to manage its impact on society. For Indonesia, rising global oil prices have major implications for energy subsidies, the state budget, inflation, logistics costs, food prices, and public purchasing power. This article employs a descriptive-analytical approach to examine the relationship between global oil price shocks, the dynamics of social protests in the United States, and the potential demands of Indonesian society if economic pressures continue to intensify. The analysis indicates that Indonesian society may demand fuel price stability, increased subsidies, greater transparency in energy policies, stronger public transportation systems, and accelerated national energy transition. Therefore, the Indonesian government needs to adopt strategic measures through energy diversification, targeted subsidies, stronger national energy reserves, and more transparent public communication in order to maintain economic and social stability.
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