What the world needs to know about the real stakes of the energy crisis

By Charlie Cooper | 04/15/2026 06:34 AM EDT

Anger is mounting in Europe over inflation triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Produce used in a traditional Sunday roast dinner including a joint of beef is loaded onto a conveyor belt at the pay desk in Cardiff, Wales.

Soaring prices, possible shortages have unpredictable political repurcussions. Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

LONDON — America, take note. When a Brit says they are “fed up,” what they actually mean is that they are deeply — deeply — pissed off.

And not just Brits.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was speaking for most Europeans last week when he declared himself “fed up” that his voters and businesses are taking a financial hit “because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world.”

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Europe had barely started recovering from the last energy shock and inflation spike, sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when along came Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu and their war against Iran.

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