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

Trump’s Gulf gamble: Oil, conflicts, and opportunities in a high-stakes visit

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
Trump’s Gulf gamble: Oil, conflicts, and opportunities in a high-stakes visit

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
Trump’s Gulf gamble: Oil, conflicts, and opportunities in a high-stakes visit

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 Thu, March 26, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

The US-Syria Energy Symposium
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Middle East Syria
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

Mar 23, 2026

The Strait of Hormuz crisis will ripple across plastics and food supply chains, helping Beijing and Moscow, hurting Americans

By Joseph Webster and Kate Burnett

The oil and gas blockade in the Strait of Hormuz will tighten petrochemical and fertilizer markets, with geopolitical and economic implications for the United States.

China Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Mar 19, 2026

The Iran war tests Taiwan’s energy resilience

By Kevin Li

Taiwan's energy vulnerabilities are being sharply tested by supply disruptions from the conflict in Iran. Mitigating these risks will require both short-term crisis management and longer-term diversification of its energy mix.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Mar 12, 2026

Why Gulf security is critical to global security

By Omran Al-Kuwari

The world depends on Gulf stability. It is time to govern it that way.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
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Content

New Atlanticist

May 8, 2025

Trump’s Gulf gamble: Oil, conflicts, and opportunities in a high-stakes visit

By Racha Helwa

Trump’s trip to the Middle East is a pivotal opportunity to reimagine US–Gulf relations for a new era.

Macroeconomics Oil and Gas

EnergySource

May 5, 2025

Make critical mineral spending matter this time  

By Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes

The United States has a crucial opportunity to translate large-scale funding into critical mineral stockpiling and resilient supply chains—but only if Congress structures spending to create durable markets. Without clear demand signals, real commercial offtakes, and price stability, proposed funding risks falling short of delivering on its potential.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

UkraineAlert

May 1, 2025

Cautious optimism in Kyiv as Ukraine reacts to landmark US minerals deal

By Peter Dickinson

There was a sense of cautious optimism in Kyiv on Thursday morning as Ukrainians reacted to news that a long-awaited natural resources agreement with the United States had finally been signed, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Critical Minerals

New Atlanticist

Apr 30, 2025

Experts react: At last, the US and Ukraine signed a minerals deal. Here’s what to expect next.

By Atlantic Council experts

After months of wrangling, Washington and Kyiv quietly finalized a much-anticipated agreement on April 30. Atlantic Council experts dig into the details.

Critical Minerals Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fast Thinking

Apr 29, 2025

Canada’s voters send a message to Washington—and the world

By Atlantic Council

Our experts explain what the Liberals’ election victory means for Canada’s relations with Washington and approach to foreign policy.

Economy & Business Elections

EnergySource

Apr 29, 2025

Can Nord Stream really rise from the dead? 

By Alan Riley

Despite recent discussions between Moscow and Washington over restarting the Nord Stream pipelines, legal, financial, and political hurdles make reopening them improbable. Multimillion dollar claims against Gazprom along with US stakes in the European LNG market are likely to severely limit support for Russian gas flows to the EU.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Apr 29, 2025

Are small modular reactors in Kazakhstan’s nuclear energy future?

By Aruzhan Meirkhanova

While Kazakhstan’s immediate nuclear focus is on a large-scale power plant, in the coming years small modular reactors could offer several advantages.

Central Asia Nuclear Energy

EnergySource

Apr 28, 2025

If Russian gas returns to Europe, it must go through Ukraine

By Sergiy Makogon

The resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe as part of a potential cease-fire agreement in Ukraine is under discussion, but any such flows would need to transit through Ukraine rather than Nord Stream or other routes. To safeguard regional stability, the EU, Ukraine, and the US must enforce strict safeguards to avoid renewed dependency and prevent Russia from once again weaponizing its energy exports.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Apr 27, 2025

Ajumobi in Globalization and Health: “Safeguarding global health security amidst a scramble for Africa’s minerals for the clean energy transition”

On April 27, 2025, Africa Center nonresident senior fellow Oluwayemisi Ajumobi published an article in Globalization and Health, “Safeguarding global health security amidst a scramble for Africa’s minerals for the clean energy transition.” “The global transition to renewable energy is increasing the demand for critical minerals mining in Africa. Without appropriate safeguards, expansion of mining […]

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

Issue Brief

Apr 24, 2025

The Millennium Challenge Corporation could prove essential in the race for critical minerals. Reform it, don’t shut it down.

By Aubrey Hruby

As the Trump administration aligns foreign aid with core strategic interests, the MCC represents an underutilized asset.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment
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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 Thu, March 26, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

The US-Syria Energy Symposium
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Middle East Syria
Public Event Thu, March 26, 2026 • 2:30 pm ET

Gina McCarthy and the European Commission’s Teresa Ribera on climate cooperation
Climate Change & Climate Action Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Fri, March 27, 2026 • 12:00 pm ET

How Ukraine’s drones and Russia’s reconnaissance fit into the Iran war
Conflict Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies
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