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 Saudi economy can hold out through year’s end—even if oil exports drop to zero

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 Saudi economy can hold out through year’s end—even if oil exports drop to zero

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 Saudi economy can hold out through year’s end—even if oil exports drop to zero

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, October 14, 2026 • 12:00 pm ET

2026 Energy & Defense Summit
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
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

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

EnergySource

Sep 9, 2026

No quick fixes for the squeeze on refined products

By Ben Cahill

US prices for refined products such as gasoline and diesel are soaring, underscoring the need for long-term planning mechanisms and safeguards to ensure reliable supply.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Sep 2, 2026

The diesel shock is here. Which US states will be hit the hardest?

By Joseph Webster and Theo Aldrighi

Learn how the Strait of Hormuz closure is affecting states' supply and price of distillate fuel oil.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
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Content

Issue Brief

Sep 24, 2026

The Saudi economy can hold out through year’s end—even if oil exports drop to zero

By Khalid Azim

First the Strait of Hormuz closed, so Saudi Arabia started sending more oil over land through its East-West Pipeline. Then drone strikes damaged the pipeline, and the Iran-backed Houthis fired missiles near the pipeline’s Red Sea terminus. Does Saudi Arabia need to plan for a near term without meaningful oil exports?

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

UkraineAlert

Sep 23, 2026

Putin’s Ukraine invasion has made Russia China’s junior partner

By Zahar Hryniv

Putin’s evident inability to secure Beijing’s backing for the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline is strengthening international perceptions that the invasion of Ukraine has reduced Russia to the status of China’s junior partner, writes Zahar Hryniv.

China Conflict

Dispatches

Sep 22, 2026

A diesel export ban could disrupt US supply chains

By Joseph Webster, Reid I’Anson, Theo Aldrighi, and Priscila Putzulu

There are second- and third-order consequences of a ban to consider, including what it would mean for Latin American countries.

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

Dispatches

Sep 21, 2026

What to expect at the Trump-Xi summit in Washington

By Melanie Hart

The success of the meeting will likely hinge on just a few important issues, including artificial intelligence safety, Taiwan, and trade.

China Critical Minerals

Dispatches

Sep 21, 2026

Dispatch from Baku: Azerbaijan must look forward even amid Russian and Iranian conflicts

By Andrew D’Anieri

A recent visit to the Caucasus region reveals a country exposed to two wars, but also one that must not wait to chart its economic and diplomatic future.

Central Asia Economy & Business

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

MENASource

Sep 16, 2026

Could the GCC and Iran collaborate to solve the Strait of Hormuz crisis?

By Alia Brahimi

A Gulf-led maritime cooperation could break the Hormuz stalemate by offering Iran an off-ramp while preventing unilateral control.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East

MENASource

Sep 15, 2026

Can oil deals reset US-Iraqi relations? 

By Yesar Al-Maleki

Iraq has a short window of time to rein in its militias and create favorable commercial conditions to improve ties with the US.

Energy & Environment Iraq

EnergySource

Sep 9, 2026

No quick fixes for the squeeze on refined products

By Ben Cahill

US prices for refined products such as gasoline and diesel are soaring, underscoring the need for long-term planning mechanisms and safeguards to ensure reliable supply.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

UkraineAlert

Sep 8, 2026

Ukrainian drone strikes are disarming Russia’s energy weapon

By Ana Lejava

For years, Russia wielded its energy capacity as a weapon against its neighbors to manipulate, coerce, and control. Ukraine’s strategic bombing campaign is now turning this energy weapon against Moscow itself, writes Ana Lejava.

Central Asia Conflict
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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

Online Event Tue, September 29, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Is Vladimir Putin’s regime cracking?
Economy & Business Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Thu, October 8, 2026 • 6:00 pm ET

Sea change: America’s new great game in the Arctic Circle
Defense Policy Defense Technologies Economy & Business Energy & Environment
Public Event Wed, October 14, 2026 • 12:00 pm ET

2026 Energy & Defense Summit
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
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