Geopolitics & Energy Security

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.

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.

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.

Illicit mineral supply chains fuel the DRC’s M23 insurgency 

By Clarkson Kamurai, Brad Handler, and Morgan Bazilian

The illicit trade of mined materials is fueling the M23 insurgency in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), threatening regional stability and hindering development. As the United States considers a minerals-for-security agreement with the DRC, international engagement, ethical sourcing practices, and strengthened oversight are critical to fostering long-term peace in this resource-rich region.

Gas diplomacy: A blueprint for Middle East peace and global energy security

By Luay al-Khatteeb

A US-Iran deal could serve as a turning point towards a wider strategy encompassing regional de-escalation and energy diplomacy.

Tariffs can help secure US critical mineral supply chains—if they’re done right

By Reed Blakemore, Alexis Harmon

US tariffs on critical minerals should be precisely targeted and coupled with robust federal support for domestic mining.

How the National Energy Dominance Council can set the US on the path to energy security

By Ellen Wald

The National Energy Dominance Council must act quickly to restore stability to the energy industry amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Central Asia’s geography inhibits a US critical minerals partnership

By Haley Nelson and Natalia Storz

Central Asia holds vast critical mineral resources, but limited export capacity and complex environmental, geopolitical, and legal risks make large-scale US investment unfeasible. The US should instead focus its efforts on allied nations with established mineral export industries.

Want to understand the US-China trade war? Start with soybeans and batteries.

As Washington and Beijing hit each other with new tariffs, two goods—soybeans and lithium-ion storage batteries—offer a window into the larger trade war.

Putin’s Arctic ambitions: Russia eyes natural resources and shipping routes

By Bohdan Ustymenko

Russia's plans to expand its influence in the Arctic region and dominate the Northern Sea Route together with China pose serious security challenges for the international community, writes Bohdan Ustymenko.