Energy markets follow a familiar pattern: crisis sparks solution, solution runs its course, then what?

Back in the 2000s, Iraq's oil was supposed to be the answer to supply crunch. Didn't happen that way. Instead, shale technology emerged and rewrote the playbook entirely.

But here's the thing—shale output is plateauing now. And suddenly, energy-hungry nations are looking south again. Venezuela's reserves are back in conversation. Some are betting major oil majors might circle back to Middle Eastern production, potentially Iraq included.

The pattern repeats: geopolitical shifts force supply-side reshuffles. Investors watching commodity cycles should pay attention—where energy flows is where capital follows.