Category: Content Series

China’s Year of the Snake is off to a good start, thanks in part to Trump

By Frederick Kempe

From an AI breakthrough to an apparent diplomatic recalibration by Washington, Beijing seems to be going from strength to strength in the new year.

History’s clock is ticking (again) in Germany

By Frederick Kempe

Likely incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s election-night mention of the need for “independence” from Washington signals the stakes of this moment for Germany and Europe.

Demography and geopolitics put Japan’s strength to the test

By Kotaro Shiojiri

By almost all freedom and prosperity metrics, Japan is a model for stability and success. However, looming challenges threaten this narrative, including an aging population, outdated social laws, a rigid labor market, and growing security and geopolitical concerns.

The week that shook Europe—and the historic test ahead

By Frederick Kempe

Trump has an opportunity to cement his place in history and preserve the hard-won gains of the post–World War II era. But any perceived or actual sellout to Russia’s despot would leave an indelible stain US global leadership.

Your primer on the German elections

By Stuart Jones, Rachel Rizzo, and Jacopo Pastorelli

As Germans prepare to elect their next Bundestag, our experts break down the top issues at play.

Latin America and the Caribbean: Leading the green energy transition amid climate challenges

By Andrés Rebolledo Smitmans

By tapping into a wealth of solar, wind, and water resources, Latin America and the Caribbean are progressing toward decarbonization while addressing poverty and inequality. Collective action across these regions is essential for accelerating progress and achieving a sustainable and equitable energy system.

Busting the top myths about AI and energy efficiency 

By Josh Parker

The rapid growth in AI and data centers in recent years has fueled concern that these systems will push the world toward an energy crisis. Advancements in this sector, however, should put this concern to rest.

The small reactor revolution can transform African energy systems 

By Lassina Zerbo

Africa faces a dual challenge of ensuring reliable access to energy while contributing to global net-zero goals. Nuclear energy—and in particular small modular and micro reactors—can revolutionize the African energy landscape and promote sustainable development.

The 2025 Global Energy Agenda

By Landon Derentz, Christine Suh, Paul Kielstra, Bailee Mathews (Editors)

The Atlantic Council is pleased to present its fifth Global Energy Agenda. As in prior years, this collection of essays is complemented by our in-depth analysis of the results of the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center’s annual global energy survey. 

Global Energy Agenda full survey results

In the fall of 2024, the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center surveyed global energy and climate experts to take the community's pulse on the outlook for geopolitical energy risks, a global energy market in transition, and prospects for the net-zero imperative.