According to UN estimates, military developments in the Middle East pose a risk of poverty for many people worldwide.
A report by the United Nations Development Programme states that, in the long term, economically weaker countries would suffer, even if they were geographically far removed from the actual conflict. In the worst-case scenario, a further 30 million people could be pushed into poverty. In addition to the Gulf region itself, countries in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and small island developing states are also particularly vulnerable.