Energy & Environment

Energy & Environment

The ability to secure sources of energy is a vital national security interest for every country in the world. A dramatic increase in new energy sources and methods for capture and storage have redefined the global energy landscape, providing more options beyond traditional oil and coal. At the same time, concern about climate change and environmental degradation is forcing political and business leaders to balance their economic goals with potential environmental consequences.

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Recent analysis

The new Middle East is modular

Dispatches Mar 17, 2026

How the Iran war could trigger a European energy crisis

By Lisa Basquel

Refilling Europe’s depleted gas storage—already a difficult task given the continent’s efforts to stop purchasing Russian gas—is even more difficult now with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed.
Conflict Economy & Business
The new Middle East is modular

Dispatches Mar 12, 2026

Energy under attack: What the Gulf can learn from Ukraine and Iraq

By Matthew Keating

In their successes and shortcomings, Iraq and Ukraine are cases worth studying by countries currently under attack from Iran.
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
The new Middle East is modular

MENASource Mar 10, 2026

How to understand the Iran war market swings: A geopolitical put option

By Khalid Azim

The two most important determinants of an option’s price are time to expiration and volatility.
Economy & Business Iran

Events

Public Event Wed, November 18, 2026 • 3:00 am ET

Seventh Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC)
Central Europe Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Programs

The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

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The Climate Resilience Center creates and delivers transformative solutions that improve lives, protect livelihoods, and expand opportunity for communities on the front lines of the climate crisis. The Center is committed to reaching one billion people around the world with resilience solutions to climate change by 2030.

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The latest from EnergySource

EnergySource

Oct 9, 2026

The war and the new energy narrative: How minerals redefine the Middle East’s strategic position

By Sara Vakhshouri

The Middle East crisis warrants diversification beyond energy exports into minerals, processing, manufacturing, and digital infrastructure partnerships.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Sep 29, 2026

Yes, transmission is dull. Read this article anyway.

By Joseph Webster

Policymakers should prioritize electric power transmission to ensure the success of the US energy system.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Sep 17, 2026

What von der Leyen’s SOTU speech got right about energy—and where the EU still needs to pivot

By Atlantic Council experts

The EU State of the Union address recognizes important energy system challenges but also leaves details on actions murky.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions
Read More from EnergySource

Content

The Big Story

Oct 21, 2026

The new Middle East is modular

By Jonathan Panikoff

In the Middle East today, states are aligning issue by issue, not choosing sides. They cooperate in one area and compete in the next. This modular alignment is shaping the region, even as it manages the shocks of war and energy-market volatility.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East

Dispatches

Oct 21, 2026

Washington should stop expecting the Gulf to speak with one voice

By Joze Pelayo

Gulf states are emerging from the Iran war with different conclusions about how to protect themselves and deal with Tehran.

Energy & Environment Iran

Report

Oct 20, 2026

The European Union as a compound power in Cold War 2.0

By Piotr Arak and Velina Tchakarova

Contrary to the prevailing narrative, the European Union has the economic power and strategic vision to act as a credible major power. Willingness to act is the missing piece.

Defense Industry Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Oct 20, 2026

Canadian west coast oil as a hedge for East Asian energy security

By Joseph Webster

Canadian oil imports can provide insurance and reliability for East Asian countries amid the instability of oil supply from the Middle East.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Dispatches

Oct 19, 2026

Four ways the midterms can reshape US energy policy

By Andrea Clabough, David L. Goldwyn

The next Congress has options to act, particularly if one or both chambers shift from a Republican to a Democratic majority.

Elections Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Oct 14, 2026

Optimizing the NATO 1.5 percent investment commitment for energy security

By Chuck Dockery, Joel Spangenberg, Thomas Winter

NATO's 1.5 percent resilience pledge can be leveraged to build a capability-based energy framework, drawing from lessons in Ukraine and globally.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Oct 14, 2026

Ensuring US military readiness in the face of water, power, and fuel shortages

By Michael Dunn, Abraham Holland, Marcus Lee

US overseas military installations depend on host nations for power, fuel, and water. A comprehensive review and investment plan is urgently needed to meet the energy and infrastructure security requirements of modern warfare.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Dispatches

Oct 13, 2026

Energy is upending Ukraine peace talks. Our experts explain why.

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts weighed in on the latest developments, from the "energy ceasefire" announcement to the US-Russia diesel deal.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

GeoTech Cues

Oct 13, 2026

Why is electrification no longer “woke”?

By Mahmoud Abouelnaga

Once a culture-war issue, electrification is now an AI- and Iran war-era necessity.

Artificial Intelligence Energy & Environment

EconoGraphics

Oct 12, 2026

Live updates from the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Thailand as financial leaders take on AI, debt, and geopolitical upheaval

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts are on the ground talking to leaders and getting the behind-the-scenes scoop on how the Bretton Woods institutions are taking on the most urgent challenges in the global economy.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment
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Experts

Fellow

Alhussain Abdalla

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic
Hana Abdelatty

Staff

Hana Abdelatty

Associate Director

Climate Resilience Center

Arabic Climate Change & Climate Action

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic China

Fellow

Mahmoud Abouelnaga

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Africa Americas

Fellow

Hager Abunahwa

Women Leaders in Energy and Climate Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment

Fellow

Max Adams

Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy
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Events

Public Event Thu, October 29, 2026 • 11:00 am ET

Reading the signals: The geopolitical implications of a new Congress
Artificial Intelligence Economy & Business Elections Energy Markets & Governance
Public Event Wed, November 18, 2026 • 3:00 am ET

Seventh Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC)
Central Europe Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia