WASHINGTON (May 28, 2026) – As tensions surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz continue to fuel concerns about oil supply and disruptions to the global economy, Danny Leipziger, Managing Director of The Growth Dialogue and professor of practice of international business at the George Washington University School of Business, says the world may be entering a period that increasingly resembles the stagflation era of the late 1970s.
In a new interview, Leipziger explains how prolonged energy shocks could prompt inflation while slowing economic growth. This will put central banks and policymakers in an increasingly difficult position. He also discusses China’s role in the global economy, noting how its’ export-driven model and increasing influence across Southeast Asia is reshaping global trade and financial stability in ways many policymakers are underestimating.
Leipziger can speak to what makes the current economic environment uniquely vulnerable, why emerging markets may be especially vulnerable to rising energy costs, and how China’s economic strategy could influence global volatility in the months ahead. To schedule an interview, contact Claire Sabin at claire [dot] sabin
gwu [dot] edu (claire[dot]sabin[at]gwu[dot]edu).
-GW-