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CIPS Situation Room

Find out how current events are affecting the procurement and supply profession on a global scale, right here. Access news, get comments from industry-wide insiders and gain relevant online learning that will help manage procurement in a crisis.

The most pressing challenge is presented by the conflict in the Middle East. This has escalated into a regional war that has closed the Strait of Hormuz. Its effect has been to increase the price of oil as well as the price and availability of other commodities.

An image featuring a white-on-black world map in a panoramic header format. Overlaid on the map is a red crosshair target with multiple concentric circles, specifically centered over the Middle East region (near the Persian Gulf). The aesthetic is high-contrast and minimalist, suggesting a 'situation room,' tactical, or news-oriented theme.

 

Latest from CIPS

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Is the Strait of Hormuz leading companies towards AI?

We're already starting to see them, with higher-end laptop prices jumping up as chips are becoming scarce. Businesses that have the highest margins and the highest ability to pay, will be able to maintain their supply over businesses with slimmer margins.

04 June 2026

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Map and diversify: two responses to a crisis

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is making people look at supplier risk management in a new way. What has been most surprising?

26 May 2026

CIPS Risk & Resilience Week: watch on-demand

The question is no longer if disruption will happen - but when. Five CIPS webinars between 5-7 May offered real-world strategies and helpful perspectives to manage risk and build supply chain resilience. All sessions are now available to watch back.

May 2026

Advice and information

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From Reactive to Resilient: Lessons from the Middle East Conflict (so far)

As we enter week eight of the latest Middle East crisis, a fragile ceasefire appears to be holding. Yet for procurement and supply chain professionals, the disruption is far from over.

READ ARTICLE
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The Strait that holds the world to ransom

Why the Strait of Hormuz is the single most consequential chokepoint in global supply chains, and what procurement professionals need to understand about the exposure it creates.

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Using a short-term crisis for long-term planning

Don't just react to a crisis - but use it as a catalyst for long-term resilience planning to help manage risk and improve your bottom line in the future, advises supply chain expert Nick Wildgoose.

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Sustainable supply chains and resilience: two sides of the same coin

Why sustainable procurement is becoming a core resilience strategy - helping to reduce long-term structural risk exposure. Plus, experts discuss how resilience strategies are changing.

WATCH THE VIDEO
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Understanding Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and what happens next

What's more important for people in procurement is that Iran is also a major supplier of petrochemicals such as polyethylene, polypropylene and PET. Plants in Europe and Asia that relied on those supplies have had to activate alternative sources.

READ ARTICLE
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Assessing the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict [opens in YouTube]

Watch our panel of experts provide analysis of how the conflict in the Middle East and wider geopolitical volatility are reshaping trade flows and supply chains.

WATCH THE VIDEO
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Risk, Resilience & Response: An Expert Panel on the Middle East Situation

Amid geopolitical tension and market instability, organisations must prepare for real-world impacts. This expert panel offers timely analysis and strategic foresight to help you navigate global uncertainty with confidence.

SEE TAKEAWAYS & WATCH
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CIPS equip and support your journey from qualification to leadership. We secure the recognition your skills deserve. Together we are a dynamic global community driving growth and success.

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Risk and Resilience in the Supply Chain - UK: 17 - 18 June 2026

Learn how to lead on the development of strategic approaches to mitigate the impact of the supply chain on the reputation of your organisation and contribute to the use of risk pathways by the organisation.

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Let’s keep the conversation going…

Join The Great Conversation

The Great Conversation is a global initiative led by CIPS to bring together the procurement and supply community in a shared dialogue about the future of the profession.

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Expert advice from the CIPS Futures Podcast

Expert guests offer insight into managing supply chain shocks in a curated playlist from the CIPS Futures Podcast. CIPS global economist Dr John Glen, market intelligence analysts and geopolitical risk gurus all share advice to the procurement and supply chain community for navigating uncertainty. The common theme? Supply chain resilience has become a business imperative - and a competitive advantage if you get it right.   

 

Featured resources

A high-resolution satellite image focusing on the Persian Gulf and the surrounding arid landscape of the Middle East. A red circular inset provides a magnified view of the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the jagged coastline of the Musandam Peninsula and the narrow waterway between Oman/UAE and Iran.

Global state of procurement & supply

Rising protectionism, tariffs, and geopolitical shocks are reshaping global supply strategies in real time. The annual CIPS Global State of Procurement and Supply report, based on the views of global procurement and supply chain leaders, reveals how professionals most exposed to those changes are responding.

A beginner’s guide to geopolitics for procurement professionals

We live in a volatile world, with wars and new political crises emerging constantly. These global events can seem remote, but it doesn’t take long for them to have an impact on procurement and supply professionals. Supply chains can be quickly disrupted by events such as the conflict in the Middle East.

Supply chain risk assessment

A supply chain risk assessment is a critical action for effective supply chain management. By assessing the risks, organisations can identify potential threats to the supply chain and take action to prevent disruptions which could lead to increased costs, lost revenue, delays and a decrease in brand reputation.

Supply chain risk management

Supply chain risk management is a set of activities, aimed at reducing supply chain risks. It involves understanding the risks that can impact your organisation and implementing strategies to manage those risks. In the supply chain, this can be from the sourcing of raw materials to the distribution of the finished product.

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A black and white world map silhouette. A red line connects a small circle over the Middle East to a larger magnified circular callout in the bottom left. The magnified area specifically highlights the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Gulf of Oman.

Supply chain risk management strategy

Managing risk in the supply chain requires detailed pre-risk planning. Every organisation will have different potential risks, however, take a look at ten strategies that will help you with your supply chain risks management.

4 methods for agile and crisis-ready procurement

In an uncertain operating environment, procurement and supply chain professionals must embed agility into their processes to become more resilient. AtkinsRéalis’ Ali Al Deiri MCIPS and Scott Corboy MCIPS offer four solutions.

A quick guide to assessing supplier risk

Supplier risk assessments are vital to identifying and mitigating the risks associated with working with suppliers. The CIPS Intelligence Hub covers the basic principles of conducting supplier risk assessments and what to look for.

How to mitigate procurement and supply risks

Risk mitigation in procurement and supply will vary in every organisation, as some organisations may not experience the same risks as others. It’s important that risk mitigation is part of your overall strategy, as without it, it can affect the whole supply chain. Take a look at some common risks within procurement and supply and how to mitigate.
A close-up photo of a political world map with a magnifying glass centered over the Middle East. The lens focuses on Iran, Iraq, and the Persian Gulf, making city names like Tehran, Baghdad, and Kuwait City clearly legible. The surrounding areas, including parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia, are visible but slightly blurred outside the magnification.
 

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