WASHINGTON (April 1, 2026) – The average gas price in the U.S. has just hit over four dollars per gallon, the highest it has been since 2022. Diesel prices have also increased by more than 40 percent to five dollars per gallon. Gas prices aren’t just about supply and demand; they’re also heavily shaped by politics both in the U.S. and globally. Government policies, international tensions, and major global events all impact prices. According to data from AAA, gas prices have soared more than 30 percent since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in Late February.
Experts at George Washington University are available to provide context and analysis on this impact. To speak with an expert, please contact GW Media Relations at gwmedia.gwu.edu.
Political Perspective
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is a longtime public servant and higher education leader who has extensive experience tackling critical political and social issues throughout her career. Now, as the executive director of the GW Graduate School of Political Management, she is excited to return to D.C. and help prepare the next generation of public servants and political professionals.
Matthew Dallek is a political historian whose intellectual interests include the intersection of social crises and political transformation, the evolution of the modern conservative movement, and liberalism and its critics. Dallek is a frequent commentator in the national news media on politics, history, and public affairs. His articles and reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, Politico, the Atlantic, Perspectives, the Journal of Policy History, and numerous other scholarly and popular publications, and his commentary has been heard on NPR, CNN International, and MSNBC.
Geopolitical Perspective
Robert Weiner is a professor at the George Washington University School of Business and director of the MS in International Business program, and can provide insight into the intersection of energy, business strategy, and geopolitical risk. His research focuses on the global petroleum industry, natural-resource economics, and international business strategy, helping explain how government action and market forces shape corporate decision-making worldwide.
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