The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that the prospect of a protracted war in the Middle East sent the price of Brent crude surging back above $100 a barrel on Thursday (all figures U.S.). The Globe's Emma Graney writes that West Texas Intermediate hit $96.96. Oil prices dropped earlier in the week amid hopes for a quick resolution to the conflict. President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that the United States "won" the war but would continue to fight to complete the mission. Oil market analyst Rory Johnston says such mixed messages from Mr. Trump contribute to the extreme volatility of oil prices. Monday experienced a $35 swing, which Mr. Johnston described as "bananas." Thursday's surge likely reflected the ongoing nature of the war. Mr. Johnston expects prices to creep up $3 each day that the conflict persists. Between March 1 and 11, the war removed roughly 17 million barrels of crude and refined products from the market. That represents "the largest oil supply disruption in history," according to a new analysis by S&P Global Energy. "No other historical episode comes close." The International Energy Agency plans to release global oil reserves, but it will take months to fill the supply gap.