In the past days, both Iraq and Cuba have experienced significant nationwide blackouts that have disrupted daily life and intensified ongoing energy crises in both countries. In Iraq, the blackout was primarily attributed to a sudden disruption in the supply of Iranian gas, which is crucial for the operation of power plants. Specifically, the electricity grid completely collapsed following a loss of gas supplies to a major power plant in Basra. This incident occurred against a backdrop of increasing tensions and military actions in the region, particularly an intensified air campaign targeting Iran by the United States and Israel that began a few days earlier. Cuba faced a similar fate with roughly two-thirds of the island plunged into darkness due to a shutdown at one of its largest thermoelectric power plants. The Cuban government has long blamed the recurring power outages on chronic fuel shortages that have been worsened by a prolonged US blockade of Venezuelan oil. Recent actions taken by the US, including seizing tankers bound for Cuba, have heightened the energy crisis in the nation, significantly limiting its access to fuel needed for electricity generation. Historically, Iraq's reliance on Iranian gas is rooted in decades of foreign intervention that have left its infrastructure in a vulnerable state. After the Gulf War of 1991, Iraq's power generation capacity suffered drastic declines, following the devastation of the war and subsequent sanctions. Today, approximately 30-40% of Iraq's electricity is generated using Iranian gas, making the nation acutely sensitive to disruptions in supply. Similarly, Cuba's energy crisis has origins in decades of economic sanctions from the United States, creating an environment where infrastructure has struggled to maintain adequate power generation. The implications of these blackouts extend beyond immediate inconveniences. In Cuba, the government contends that the energy crisis exacerbates its overall economic struggles and contributes to social unrest. In Iraq, these energy shortages raise concerns over national stability, especially in light of existing political tensions and the potential for public discontent, which can lead to larger unrest. The situation in both countries underscores how geopolitical actions have dire local consequences, resulting in significant challenges for governance and public satisfaction in their respective regions.