Prior to the Middle East conflict, investor sentiment toward Emerging Markets had turned increasingly bullish, driven by momentum and demand for assets positioned for US dollar weakness; while the war in Iran and the effective closure of the Hormuz Strait disrupted that optimism, David Hauner and David Beker argue the structural EM case remains intact. Latin America-particularly Brazil and Argentina-appears well positioned in a world of higher commodity and energy price floors, despite continued energy‑shock risks. Attractive valuations, improving fundamentals, and persistent global underallocation continue to support EM, with Latin America standing out as a key supplier of energy and commodities-Brazil benefiting as an energy exporter amid an easing cycle, and Argentina offering reform‑driven, off‑index upside.

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