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

Matchett for War on the Rocks on threats to desalination plants and preparedness for attacks in the Gulf

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
Matchett for War on the Rocks on threats to desalination plants and preparedness for attacks in the Gulf

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
Matchett for War on the Rocks on threats to desalination plants and preparedness for attacks in the Gulf

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 Mon, April 13, 2026 • 12:30 pm ET

The IEA’s Fatih Birol on global energy market resilience in a moment of crisis

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—Fatih Birol discusses how the International Energy Agency is guiding governments and markets through a complex energy landscape.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran
Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals

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

Apr 8, 2026

The Hormuz crisis is making low-carbon energy strategies more expensive

By Alvin Camba

Shortages of sulfur, which is derived from oil and gas and is a key element for low-carbon energy technologies, has short- and long-term implications for renewable energy and energy security.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Apr 6, 2026

Why US-Israeli attacks on Iran’s grid and water systems would be counterproductive

By Joseph Webster, Ginger Matchett

Striking energy and water-related infrastructure in Iran would do little damage to the county's military capabilities. Instead, it would hurt civilians and potentially escalate the conflict.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Apr 3, 2026

How the Iran war could shift energy policies around the world

By Atlantic Council Experts

The Strait of Hormuz closure has sparked fuel shortages and soaring energy costs, but also new opportunities for energy producers. How different regions respond to these disruptions could reshape the future of energy markets and security.

Africa Energy & Environment
Read More from EnergySource

Content

In the News

Apr 2, 2026

Matchett for War on the Rocks on threats to desalination plants and preparedness for attacks in the Gulf

By Ginger Matchett

On March 31, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett wrote a feature for “Holding water hostage” for War on Rocks on the threat to desalination plants in the Gulf and how states should prepare for attacks. She wrote: “We are at an inflection point with how aggressors threaten strategic assets in warfare and the significant geopolitical weight […]

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

MENASource

Apr 1, 2026

Jordan’s regional connectivity begins in Riyadh

By Jesse Marks

Jordan must take the lead in making economic interconnectivity a reality with its closest regional partners.

Economy & Business Infrastructure

In the News

Apr 1, 2026

Matchett quoted in ABC News on the threat of Iranian attacks on Gulf desalination plants

By Ginger Matchett

On March 31, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett was quoted in “As Trump postpones threatened attacks on Iran’s power plants, experts warn of the potential humanitarian crisis” for ABC News about the consequences if Iran successfully destroyed the Gulf’s desalination infrastructure. She noted that due to arid conditions in the region, the facilities are a major potential […]

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Dispatches

Mar 31, 2026

Five takeaways for US policymakers about China’s new five-year development plan

By Melanie Hart, Caroline Costello, Samantha Wong

Chinese leaders are much more focused on their nation’s strengths than its weaknesses, and they are feeling bullish about the future.

Artificial Intelligence China

UkraineAlert

Mar 31, 2026

Ukraine bombs Russia’s Baltic ports as Zelenskyy targets Putin’s oil exports

By David Kirichenko

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy says the country’s partners have called on Kyiv to scale down attacks on Russian energy infrastructure after drone strikes reportedly reduced Russia’s oil export capacity by at least 40 percent as global energy prices surge amid the Iran War, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Drones

Dispatches

Mar 30, 2026

Europe needs a 21st-century containment strategy toward Russia

By Vytautas Leškevičius, Julia Salabert

Only a policy toward Russia grounded in strength, combined with a refusal to compromise on core principles, can alter the Kremlin’s calculus.

Defense Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Mar 30, 2026

Can Europe—finally—turn an energy shock into a path toward energy security?

By Charles Hendry

Europe keeps falling into the same energy trap. It instead needs to recognize its dependence on hydrocarbons and diversify supplies, even as it reduces reliance on them.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 30, 2026

Matchett quoted in CNN on the Iran war’s threat to desalination plants and data center investment in the Gulf

By Ginger Matchett

On March 30, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett was quoted in “Trump helped build the Middle East’s AI ambitions. Could his war break them?” for CNN on the risk to data center investment because of the US-Israel-Iran war. She explained how the war is leaving data center investment up in the air because protection of data centers […]

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

EnergySource

Mar 30, 2026

The future of energy geopolitics is written in patents

By Andrei Covatariu

While access to fuel is critical for energy security, particularly today, technological innovation will play a central role in the future. This has major implications for Europe.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 28, 2026

Matchett quoted in Agencia EFE on how the war in the Middle East puts desalination plants at risk

By Ginger Matchett

On March 27, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett was quoted in “Middle East war puts drinking water supply in Gulf countries at risk” for Agencia EFE on how the Gulf states rely on desalination plants, making infrastructure an easy target and vulnerable to attacks. She noted there is a paradox between oil and water, where oil extraction […]

Energy & Environment Infrastructure
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Experts

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

Fellow

Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East
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Events

Public Event Mon, April 13, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Philanthropy and the future of food security
Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment Resilience & Society
Public Event Mon, April 13, 2026 • 12:30 pm ET

The IEA’s Fatih Birol on global energy market resilience in a moment of crisis

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—Fatih Birol discusses how the International Energy Agency is guiding governments and markets through a complex energy landscape.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran
Public Event Thu, April 16, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

Investing in Africa Forum
Africa Artificial Intelligence Critical Minerals Economy & Business
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