Geopolitics & Energy Security

Geopolitics & Energy Security

The combination of energy and geopolitics can disrupt regional stability and have major effects on global energy markets. By monitoring challenges and opportunities at this intersection, emerging risks can be identified and trends can be highlighted to provide a clearer picture of the global energy landscape.

Recent analysis

15 charts that explain why the Strait of Hormuz shutdown matters for the global economy

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
15 charts that explain why the Strait of Hormuz shutdown matters for the global economy

UkraineAlert Mar 17, 2026

The Iran war is good for the Russian economy but bad for Putin’s prestige

By Maksym Beznosiuk, Will Dixon

From Armenia and Syria to Venezuela and Iran, Moscow’s inability since 2022 to aid its allies in times of crisis has seriously damaged Russia’s reputation as a global power, write Maksym Beznosiuk and Will Dixon.
Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security
15 charts that explain why the Strait of Hormuz shutdown matters for the global economy

Dispatches Mar 13, 2026

Romania’s drone and energy plans with Ukraine make Europe stronger and more secure

Romanian President Nicușor Dan hosted his Ukrainian counterpart on March 12, underscoring Bucharest’s growing role in regional security.
Drones Geopolitics & Energy Security

Programs

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Online Event Fri, January 30, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

How Russia’s winter warfare strategy targets Ukrainian civilians
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Geopolitics & Energy Security Human Rights
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Content

Dispatches

Apr 14, 2026

15 charts that explain why the Strait of Hormuz shutdown matters for the global economy

By Kate Burnett, Kevin Li, Lisa Basquel, and Chloe O’Connor

Until it was effectively closed, the waterway had been a critical artery for not only crude oil and liquefied natural gas, but several critical commodities as well.

Conflict Economy & Business

Event Recap

Apr 14, 2026

The IEA’s Fatih Birol: Oil prices will soon begin ‘reflecting the severity’ of the energy crisis

By Katherine Golden

At an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Birol argued that oil prices, while high, are “not reflecting the severity of the problem” posed by the Iran war’s damage to infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Transcript

Apr 13, 2026

Fatih Birol: The IEA is ‘ready to act’ with additional releases of reserves if needed

By Atlantic Council

At an Atlantic Council Front Page event, the executive director of the International Energy Agency spoke about economic impacts of the war in Iran and how countries can mitigate them.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Dispatches

Apr 10, 2026

Operation Overflow: How to break Iran’s grip over the Strait of Hormuz

By Landon Derentz

The US and its Gulf partners need an infrastructure strategy to bypass the strait entirely, on the scale of projects undertaken during World War II.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

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

MENASource

Apr 7, 2026

Iraq’s oil export vulnerability exposes the cost of unresolved disputes

By Yesar Al-Maleki

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz shows how Iraq’s energy security depends as much on political coordination as on infrastructure.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Infrastructure

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

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
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Experts

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Yesar Al-Maleki

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Shahira Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Economy & Business

Expert

Defne Arslan

Senior Director

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Fellow

Marino Auffant

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Staff

Kiran Baez

Program Assistant

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Central Asia Geopolitics & Energy Security
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Events

Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
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. 
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