Nation’s biggest bank warns of global food ‘crisis’ in 2027

Nation’s biggest bank warns of global food ‘crisis’ in 2027, citing bad weather and wars in Iran, Ukraine

Leo Hohmann

Get ready for another round of sticker shock at your local grocery stores and food markets.

The nation’s largest bank has just put out a chilling report that confirms what I have been warning about since the first week of March: A global food shortage is coming, caused by war and bad weather, leading to widespread famine as we get into 2027.

In a report titled Food Security Is National Security: A Compounding Storm, a team led by London-based senior global economist Nora Szentivanyi warned that disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and the emergence of a potentially historic El Niño could weaken crop yields, constrain agricultural production, and keep food inflation elevated through the first half of 2027.

While we in America, Canada and Europe can expect to pay higher food prices and may have to cut back elsewhere, other countries will be in worse shape. Think about the migration storm that will cause, as people in the Third World leave their countries and head for wealthier countries that have more food.

“Successive shocks since COVID have compounded, eroding food production capacity and keeping food price pressures elevated into 2027,” Szentivanyi said, warning that “this is not a short-lived shock; it has reduced the likelihood of near-term disinflation, and the food inflation cycle is likely to exert pressure through 1H27.”

JP Morgan Chase’s report on a looming food crisis rocked the internet as people posted on it across social media platforms today.

What this means is that a larger segment of the population is going to wake up and start stocking up. That means prices will go up even faster than they have been, as demand increases, and those prices will rise faster than they would have if the masses hadn’t been suddenly jolted into reality by an establishment institution like JP Morgan Chase and all the press coverage that entails.

Farmers facing shortages or overly expensive fertilizer, depending on their financial position, can either absorb the cost, use less of it or switch crops. Each choice would reduce supply and raise food prices after the next harvest.

“Rising fertilizer prices could lift global food inflation temporarily to 4-5%,” warned Szentivanyi, author of the JP Morgan report. She expects the most severe impact on food prices to appear after a months-long lag time, once we get into 2027.

That will bring another inflation shock for Americans who are still dealing with a price shock on gasoline, diesel and food prices.

The Iran conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted those supplies. JP Morgan said nitrogen fertilizer prices rose between 25% and 50% from late February to April, while nitrogen markets are expected to remain tight through the second half of 2026.

Nitrogen fertilizer must be available when crops are planted and there are no widespread strategic reserves. JP Morgan estimates damaged fertilizer plants could take up to four years to repair, while some natural gas facilities could take up to five years.

Grain supplies also face pressure, thanks to the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraine’s agricultural exports fell about 75% year over year during the first two weeks of August, as Russian attacks nearly halted Black Sea shipments. Ukraine produces around 6% of the world’s wheat and 11% of its corn.

Ukrainian strikes have also closed major grain terminals at Russia’s Novorossiysk port. Russia is the world’s largest wheat exporter, shipping $9.2 billion worth of it in 2024

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Countdown: Multiple Clocks Are Ticking Toward A Turbulent Fall

Countdown: Multiple Clocks Are Ticking Toward A Turbulent Fall

 PNW STAFF

The world is watching several countdown clocks right now-and some of them may reach zero at almost exactly the same time.

From Iran to Gaza, from oil markets to U.S. elections, the final months of 2026 are shaping up to be unusually volatile. None of these pressure points guarantees a wider war or economic crisis. But taken together, they create a dangerous convergence that could make this fall one of the most consequential periods in years.

The first clock is ticking in Iran.

Iranian officials have warned that if their demands are not met within the coming weeks, Tehran could shift from its current posture toward something far more aggressive against the United States and Israel.

That threat matters because the confrontation is no longer confined to nuclear negotiations. It now touches the Strait of Hormuz, oil exports, sanctions, American naval forces, regional proxy groups and the possibility of renewed Israeli military action.

If diplomacy collapses, the next step may not be another round of negotiations.

It could be escalation.

And that brings us to the second clock.

Hamas is also facing a deadline.

Jared Kushner's recent meeting with Hamas has reportedly centered on a limited window for the terrorist organization to disarm. The message appears increasingly clear: Hamas has a chance to give up its weapons voluntarily, but if it refuses, Israel may eventually receive broader American backing to resume large-scale military operations.

A 60-to-90-day timetable takes that deadline directly into the heart of the fall.

That means two of the most explosive conflicts in the Middle East could be approaching decisive moments at roughly the same time.

Iran has a clock.

Hamas has a clock.

Israel is watching both.

And Washington is involved in each.

That alone would be enough to make the coming months dangerous. But there are other clocks running too.

The third is economic.

Americans who do not closely follow financial markets may wonder why events thousands of miles away should matter to them.

The answer is oil.

Any serious disruption involving Iran or the Strait of Hormuz could quickly push energy prices higher. Higher oil prices do not simply mean more expensive gasoline. Transportation costs rise. Shipping costs rise. Airlines pay more for fuel. Businesses pass those costs along to consumers.

Food, travel, manufactured goods and everyday household expenses can all become more expensive.

At the same time, inflation pressures can keep interest rates higher for longer, making mortgages, car loans and credit cards more painful.

In other words, a military crisis in the Middle East can eventually arrive at your kitchen table.

That economic pressure creates yet another countdown: America's midterm elections.

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The Mirage Of Ceasefires And The Tug Of War:

The Mirage Of Ceasefires And The Tug Of War: What Should Christians Think Of Unstable Talks Of ‘Peace’ In The Middle East?

Jonathan Brentner

The tension between war and peace in the Middle East is mind-boggling at times. Just when we think President Trump is about to order a massive wave of bombing against Iran, we wake up the next day to learn he has called off the attack.

On the other hand, the ceasefires never last. Despite the highly publicized Memorandum of Understanding for peace, attacks and bombings resumed shortly after its signing.

As students of Bible prophecy, we have a unique understanding of what’s happening in the conflict between Israel, Iran, and the proxies of the Persian state. We know that the battle is spiritual. Because Satan motivates Israel’s enemies, lasting peace will never happen until Jesus returns to the earth. The anti-Zion passion will remain alive and well inside Iran until the nation’s demise at the end of the Gog/Magog war (see Ezekiel 38-39).

The tension between war and peace that we currently witness is itself prophetic. With every agreement or ceasefire, we hear the words “peace and safety” or “peace and security” in spite of the ever-present undercurrent pointing to a global conflict on the level of another world war, or even worse. 

It’s just as Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, “While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” However, what we see leading up to the fulfillment of this prophecy is confusing more often than not.

Just when we think we are on the cusp of a war that would fit with the “sudden destruction” described in 1 Thessalonians, the sides agree to a ceasefire. With the war in Ukraine, Russia has apparently backed away from its threat to directly attack America if Ukraine used its missiles to strike deep within the nation, which is now happening.

We see this same contrast between peace and war with the first two seal judgments during the Tribulation. The first rider appears on a white horse, which represents the arrival of the antichrist. He initially comes in peace as symbolized by the arrowless bow. Yet, somehow he conquers just the same (Revelation 6:1-2).

The next rider of the apocalypse brings strife and war, which will be one of the causes for the horrific widespread death on the earth in numbers beyond anything experienced in all of history (Revelation 6:3-4, 7-8).

The Restrainer

2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 reveals the role of the Restrainer in holding back the unveiling of the antichrist, and the lawlessness he will bring with him, until after the Rapture. I believe the Restrainer, or Holy Spirit, is also holding back World War III, which will be far deadlier than all the wars of the previous century combined. We hear persistent rumors that this is coming, with some telling us it has already begun, albeit in a limited way. Yet such allegations never materialize.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 reveals that the widespread devastation will closely follow the Rapture. I believe this will include earthquakes and wars that will happen in close proximity to our departure. Such an attack on America would account for its absence in Bible prophecy, despite its prominent role in world affairs. (Of course, the Rapture alone will bring widespread chaos to the US and severely weaken it).

The back and forth between peace and war is exactly what we would expect just before the Lord’s appearing to take us home. The mirage of peace that dominates the world scene is setting the stage for the antichrist to deceive the world with his own brand of illusory peace.

Setting the Stage for the Antichrist

Once the restraining work of the Holy Spirit ends, the antichrist will quickly seize the initiative as someone able to restore order amid the widespread chaos and bring peace to a war-weary world. The masses, already longing for just such a leader, will readily give him their allegiance.

Even so, deadly wars will follow his peace campaign. War and peace will be the theme of the Tribulation period after Jesus opens the second seal.

The Bible tells us that after the Rapture, the antichrist will make “a strong covenant with many,” which certainly will include Israel (Daniel 9:27). In Isaiah 25:15-18, the Lord refers to this as a “covenant of death.” Given Israel’s current experience with terrorist attacks, war, and constant threats of further violence, this agreement will likely include a much-coveted guarantee of safety and protection. If it contains permission to build a temple, and I believe it will, that will make the pact all the more desirable to Israel’s leadership.

Today’s back and forth between wars and ceasefires, including threats of fierce attacks amid claims of “peace and security,” is exactly what we would expect in the moments leading up to the realization of our “blessed hope.”

As I have often stated, I believe the Lord is allowing the world to experience a small sampling of what the world will be like after the Rapture. It’s a warning for those outside of Christ to repent. For us who believe, it signifies that Jesus will soon appear to take us home.

Netanyahu, Kushner clashed over PM’s insistence on continuing strikes against Oct. 7 terrorists

Netanyahu, Kushner clashed over PM’s insistence on continuing strikes against Oct. 7 terrorists

Jacob Magid

The main dispute during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting on Monday with US special envoy Jared Kushner was over the premier’s insistence that Israel continue carrying out strikes on Hamas operatives who allegedly took part in the terror group’s October 7 onslaught, an official present at the sit-down tells The Times of Israel.

Earlier this month, Israel acknowledged having established a special operation to hunt down and kill every single Palestinian terrorist involved in the October 7, 2023, invasion and atrocities.

The mission has resulted in violations of the ceasefire that Israel and Hamas inked in October 2025, but the US-controlled Board of Peace has not adamantly objected, as the Israel Defense Forces in most cases has said those targeted posed an imminent threat to troops.

For months, the Board of Peace prioritized coaxing Hamas to accept its disarmament proposal, which it finally did on July 30.

Once in place, the plan envisions both sides immediately halting all military operations, though Netanyahu has come out against the proposal and raised that specific issue during his meeting with Kushner, according to the official present.

While Kushner assured Netanyahu that he would not oppose IDF strikes against those who genuinely pose an “imminent threat,” US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior aide told the premier that the rationale should not be widely interpreted, the official says.

To the frustration of the Board of Peace delegation, Netanyahu insisted the strikes against participants in the October 7 attack would continue, according to the official, who added that no agreement was reached on the matter.

A second source briefed on the meeting confirms the official’s account.

Hours after Kushner left Israel, the IDF carried out one of its deadliest strikes in months, targeting what it said was a gathering of senior Hamas operatives. At least six people were reported killed, including a minor, and over 10 wounded in the strike.

In addition to violating the Board of Peace’s stalled disarmament plan, the policy laid out by Netanyahu could go against Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the Gaza war, which the premier accepted in September of last year.

That proposal states that Hamas members who “commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty.”

The official present at the Monday meeting says Kushner also took issue with Netanyahu’s refusal to allow recruits for the new Palestinian police force to leave the Strip for training in Egypt.

The Board of Peace disarmament plan envisions Hamas handing over its weapons to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza’s new police force, in a process facilitated by the International Stabilization Force.

Kushner said Monday that he wants Hamas to begin handing over its weapons within a month, but without a sufficient number of already trained police recruits, there won’t be anyone for Hamas to give its weapons to.

Iran's growing incentive to escalate leaves Trump with no easy way out

Iran's growing incentive to escalate leaves Trump with no easy way out

Danny Citrinowicz

Reports of discussions in Iran about adopting an "offensive approach," meaning a deliberate return to escalation, shed light on several assumptions underlying the thinking of Tehran's current leadership: It does not want an endless war, it refuses to capitulate to the president's demands, and it is determined to preserve what it regards as its achievements in the conflict. If forced to choose, and this appears to be a question on which it has already made up its mind, Iran will opt for escalation rather than surrender.

Economic pressure is indeed hurting Iran, but the pain does not flow in only one direction. US sanctions and pressure are inflicting significant damage on the Iranian economy, but Tehran believes it can shift part of the cost onto the global economy, first and foremost by disrupting energy flows and undermining regional stability. The United States has continued tightening sanctions on Iranian oil, shipping and financial networks in recent months, while also enforcing a naval blockade.

Iran will not indefinitely accept a status quo that allows the US to reap the benefits of "maximum pressure" at little cost. Current Iranian thinking places greater emphasis on initiative and offensive action, and the longer the economic siege continues, the stronger Tehran's incentive will become to initiate friction and create new sources of leverage.

Contrary to US President Donald Trump's hopes, there is not necessarily a stable middle ground.

Washington cannot assume that it can continue applying maximum pressure, avoid reaching an agreement and at the same time pay no price. In a scenario of prolonged escalation, even freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be taken for granted, as illustrated by the delayed agreement with Oman that is ostensibly intended to facilitate it.

There is no quick knockout blow against Iran. Additional pressure on China, an attempt to tighten the land blockade or another round of sanctions are not magic solutions. They can make life extremely difficult for Iran, but they will not necessarily force it to capitulate. As Iran's distress deepens, Tehran's default response will be to try to raise the price paid by its adversaries and, in this case, by the global economy as well.

The US administration still appears to have difficulty understanding how the Iranian system thinks. The regime can compromise, make tactical retreats and even change policy, but publicly surrendering under pressure runs almost directly counter to the ethos on which it is built.

That is why frustration in Washington, and especially for Trump, is likely to mount. He appears increasingly unable to avoid deciding between the two options that have confronted him for months: costly and unpredictable escalation, or the humiliating acceptance of Iran's terms.

For Washington, the choice is between bad and worse.