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A broad range of viewpoints

The programming and published products of the Atlantic Council provide a platform for a broad range of viewpoints on how to create regional stability and integration, as well as boost economic development in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Multiple Atlantic Council programs, including the Atlantic Council in Turkey, the Global Energy Center, the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, and the Europe Center are engaged in navigating theses complex tensions and challenges.

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Report

Feb 16, 2022

Energy and geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean

By Charles Ellinas

Fossil fuel development in the Eastern Mediterranean is both laden with promise and fraught with tension. Member states of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) have established joint ventures for exploration and drilling, pipeline building, and LNG export across the region, creating an international web of proposed infrastructure to tap its abundant reserves. But Turkey […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Commentary & Analysis

How can the Eastern Mediterannean create regional stability?

Working with a wide community of experts and thought-leaders, the Atlantic Council delivers cutting-edge analysis and policy recommendations.

Turkey’s muted response to Cyprus’ offshore drilling reflects a new diplomatic reality

TURKEYSource Jan 20, 2022

Turkey’s muted response to Cyprus’ offshore drilling reflects a new diplomatic reality

By Serhat S. Cubukcuoglu

Turkey’s response, or lack thereof, to Cyprus’ recent moves to capitalize on natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean marks a shift in diplomatic tone. While Turkey’s stance has not changed, under the surface lies a changing geopolitical and economic reality.
Geopolitics & Energy Security Greece
Turkey’s muted response to Cyprus’ offshore drilling reflects a new diplomatic reality

EnergySource Dec 31, 2020

Rapid response: The Southern Gas Corridor opens today

By Richard L. Morningstar, Matthew Bryza, Neil Robert Brown, Brenda Shaffer

Today marks a historic milestone for energy diplomacy and international cooperation. The Southern Gas Corridor pipeline system opened today. This natural gas megaproject brings Caspian gas to Europe for the first time, linking seven countries, starting in Azerbaijan and ending in Italy.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

events

Watch the webcast

The Cyprus Settlement and Eastern Mediterranean Hydrocarbon Export Scenarios

Atlantic Council Turkey hosted a panel discussion in Istanbul in cooperation with Sabanci University’s Istanbul International Centre for Energy and Climate (IICEC) to explore the latest political and market developments related to Eastern Mediterranean hydrocarbon resources and Cyprus reunification.
Watch the webcast

Global Energy Debates and the East Mediterranean

On November 16, 2015, the Peace Research Institute Oslo-PRIO Cyprus Centre, in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation in Cyprus and the Atlantic Council, organized its annual energy conference in the Nicosia UN Buffer Zone. The conference invited international experts to discuss the increasingly complex global energy landscape, paying particular attention to the Eastern Mediterranean region.

In-depth research & reports

How can the Eastern Mediterannean create regional stability?

Working with a wide community of experts and thought-leaders, the Atlantic Council delivers cutting-edge analysis and policy recommendations.

Turkey’s muted response to Cyprus’ offshore drilling reflects a new diplomatic reality

Report Feb 16, 2022

Energy and geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean

By Charles Ellinas

Fossil fuel development in the Eastern Mediterranean is both laden with promise and fraught with tension. Member states of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) have established joint ventures for exploration and drilling, pipeline building, and LNG export across the region, creating an international web of proposed infrastructure to tap its abundant reserves. But Turkey […]
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
Turkey’s muted response to Cyprus’ offshore drilling reflects a new diplomatic reality

Report Oct 7, 2020

Value beyond price: Prioritizing political stability and regional integration when financing Mediterranean gas

By Olgu Okumuş

A comprehensive overview of the tensions surrounding natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean which argues that development projects must take into account geopolitical rivalries as a reality in determining how to leverage East Med gas by mobilizing the power of multilateral dialogue platforms and international development banks.
Europe & Eurasia European Union

all content

TURKEYSource

Jan 20, 2022

Turkey’s muted response to Cyprus’ offshore drilling reflects a new diplomatic reality

By Serhat S. Cubukcuoglu

Turkey’s response, or lack thereof, to Cyprus’ recent moves to capitalize on natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean marks a shift in diplomatic tone. While Turkey’s stance has not changed, under the surface lies a changing geopolitical and economic reality.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Greece

MENASource

Jan 14, 2022

Where is the United States? Military basing and energy are the real prizes in Libya.

By Matthew Zais

It wasn’t a surprise to many that Libya’s long-awaited elections were postponed. As the elections approached, fundamental rules over presidential powers, who was allowed to be a candidate, and election enforcement mechanisms remained unclear.

Elections Libya

TURKEYSource

Nov 17, 2021

Why Turkey’s transatlantic identity could change forever

By Can Kasapoglu and Sine Ozkarasahin

Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and disagreements over defense policy with the United States are pushing transatlantic ties with Turkey to the brink with potentially seismic changes to Turkey’s strategic orientation and identity and major implications for the NATO alliance.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Report

Oct 26, 2021

North Africa 2030: What the future holds for the region

By Frederick Kempe, Giampiero Massolo, Yahia Zoubir, Abdelkader Abderrahmane, Pietro Gagliardi, Guillaume Biganzoli, Aldo Liga, Nader Kabbani, Nejla Ben Mimoune, Hannah Abdullah, Karim Elgendy, Shlomo Roiter Jesner, Jay Mens, Armando Sanguini, Karim Mezran, and Alissa Pavia

In the last decade, several events redefined North Africa’s heterogeneous character and identity. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the Arab spring, but most of the root causes fueling the unrest remain unaddressed.

Middle East North Africa

MENASource

Oct 6, 2021

Why Israeli gas and Syrian sanctions relief may turn on Lebanon’s lights

By Matthew Zais

Before the United States and World Bank throw a lifeline to either Bashar al-Assad or Lebanon, they should demand concessions that reduce Iranian and Russian influence in the region.

Lebanon Middle East

MENASource

Jun 1, 2021

Egypt recalibrated its strategy in Libya because of Turkey

By Alessia Melcangi

It is evident that the strategic pivots of Egyptian leadership in Libya are adapting and evolving in concordance with developments on the ground and keeping in mind wider regional implications—particularly its relations with Turkey.

Libya Middle East

TURKEYSource

Apr 29, 2021

Turkey and the new Libyan government: continuity, change, and new opportunities

By Karim Mezran and Dario Cristiani

The new Libyan leadership’s early moves on the international stage demonstrate its openness to engaging with all actors. Interim Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh’s government’s closest and most important international partner is Turkey, which, driven by strategic interests has continued to support the internationally recognized Libya government.

Conflict Libya

MENASource

Apr 16, 2021

Italy found its way back into Libya

By Karim Mezran, Alissa Pavia

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s visit to Libya is a big step for renewing Italy’s role in Libya and the wider Mediterranean, one that should not be overlooked.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Apr 6, 2021

The Abraham Accords hold the key to Biden’s East Med policy

By Matthew Zais

While motivated by the potential for a new Iran nuclear deal under the Biden administration, the Abraham Accords represent an unprecedented regional unification that was inconceivable just a few years ago. But it also represents an opportunity to continue America’s positive international energy diplomacy, and leadership in the East Med would be an ideal place to pick up the baton.

Middle East North Africa

TURKEYSource

Mar 5, 2021

To manage tensions between Turkey and Greece, the US should look to history

By Grady Wilson

Tensions between Turkey and Greece flared over the past year over disputed maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean. The United States should mediate between the two NATO allies to protect its interests based on its long term commitment to a stable and secure region.

Greece International Norms
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learn about the centers

The Atlantic Council in Turkey aims to promote dialogue and strengthen transatlantic engagement with the region through research, programming and high-level discussion forums to address critical issues around energy, economics, migration, and security.

explore the program

The Global Energy Center promotes energy security by working alongside government, industry, civil society, and public stakeholders to devise pragmatic solutions to the geopolitical, sustainability, and economic challenges of the changing global energy landscape.

learn more

Middle East Programs

Through our Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East and Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, the Atlantic Council works with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

Explore More

Content

TURKEYSource

Jan 20, 2022

Turkey’s muted response to Cyprus’ offshore drilling reflects a new diplomatic reality

By Serhat S. Cubukcuoglu

Turkey's response, or lack thereof, to Cyprus' recent moves to capitalize on natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean marks a shift in diplomatic tone. While Turkey's stance has not changed, under the surface lies a changing geopolitical and economic reality.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Greece

MENASource

Jan 14, 2022

Where is the United States? Military basing and energy are the real prizes in Libya.

By Matthew Zais

It wasn’t a surprise to many that Libya’s long-awaited elections were postponed. As the elections approached, fundamental rules over presidential powers, who was allowed to be a candidate, and election enforcement mechanisms remained unclear.

Elections Libya

TURKEYSource

Nov 17, 2021

Why Turkey’s transatlantic identity could change forever

By Can Kasapoglu and Sine Ozkarasahin

Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and disagreements over defense policy with the United States are pushing transatlantic ties with Turkey to the brink with potentially seismic changes to Turkey's strategic orientation and identity and major implications for the NATO alliance.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Report

Oct 26, 2021

North Africa 2030: What the future holds for the region

By Frederick Kempe, Giampiero Massolo, Yahia Zoubir, Abdelkader Abderrahmane, Pietro Gagliardi, Guillaume Biganzoli, Aldo Liga, Nader Kabbani, Nejla Ben Mimoune, Hannah Abdullah, Karim Elgendy, Shlomo Roiter Jesner, Jay Mens, Armando Sanguini, Karim Mezran, and Alissa Pavia

In the last decade, several events redefined North Africa’s heterogeneous character and identity. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the Arab spring, but most of the root causes fueling the unrest remain unaddressed.

Middle East North Africa

MENASource

Oct 6, 2021

Why Israeli gas and Syrian sanctions relief may turn on Lebanon’s lights

By Matthew Zais

Before the United States and World Bank throw a lifeline to either Bashar al-Assad or Lebanon, they should demand concessions that reduce Iranian and Russian influence in the region.

Lebanon Middle East

MENASource

Jun 1, 2021

Egypt recalibrated its strategy in Libya because of Turkey

By Alessia Melcangi

It is evident that the strategic pivots of Egyptian leadership in Libya are adapting and evolving in concordance with developments on the ground and keeping in mind wider regional implications—particularly its relations with Turkey.

Libya Middle East

TURKEYSource

Apr 29, 2021

Turkey and the new Libyan government: continuity, change, and new opportunities

By Karim Mezran and Dario Cristiani

The new Libyan leadership’s early moves on the international stage demonstrate its openness to engaging with all actors. Interim Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh's government's closest and most important international partner is Turkey, which, driven by strategic interests has continued to support the internationally recognized Libya government.

Conflict Libya

MENASource

Apr 16, 2021

Italy found its way back into Libya

By Karim Mezran, Alissa Pavia

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s visit to Libya is a big step for renewing Italy’s role in Libya and the wider Mediterranean, one that should not be overlooked.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Apr 6, 2021

The Abraham Accords hold the key to Biden’s East Med policy

By Matthew Zais

While motivated by the potential for a new Iran nuclear deal under the Biden administration, the Abraham Accords represent an unprecedented regional unification that was inconceivable just a few years ago. But it also represents an opportunity to continue America’s positive international energy diplomacy, and leadership in the East Med would be an ideal place to pick up the baton.

Middle East North Africa

TURKEYSource

Mar 5, 2021

To manage tensions between Turkey and Greece, the US should look to history

By Grady Wilson

Tensions between Turkey and Greece flared over the past year over disputed maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean. The United States should mediate between the two NATO allies to protect its interests based on its long term commitment to a stable and secure region.

Greece International Norms
Load More