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

Innovation as resilience: Demand-side strategies for critical mineral supply chain security

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
Innovation as resilience: Demand-side strategies for critical mineral supply chain security

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
Innovation as resilience: Demand-side strategies for critical mineral supply chain security

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

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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Events

Online Event Tue, March 10, 2026 • 2:00 pm ET

The impact of the Iran conflict on global energy markets
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran Middle East
Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

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

Report

Jun 5, 2026

Innovation as resilience: Demand-side strategies for critical mineral supply chain security

By Alexis Harmon, Reed Blakemore

Policies designed to secure critical mineral supplies have a blind spot: they focus primarily on sourcing but underuse demand-side strategies.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

In the News

May 30, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: What Do the Gulf States Really Want?

By Atlantic Council

Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East

Global Energy Agenda

May 28, 2026

Ukraine’s legacy grid and wartime agility could help answer Europe’s energy problem

By Lana Zerkal

Ukraine’s strong position as a potential supplier of European energy is rooted in its resilience, resources, and resolve.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Global Energy Agenda

May 19, 2026

The impacts of the Iranian crisis on Japan’s energy strategy

By Tatsuya Terazawa

Strategic planning has enabled Japan to manage the Hormuz energy crisis relatively well. But the shock also exposed policy weaknesses that needs to be addressed to improve the country's energy resilience.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

May 19, 2026

The US needs a comprehensive batteries strategy to ensure its battlefield edge

By Joseph Webster and Kyle Chan

Batteries are becoming increasingly important in defense technologies. To keep an operational edge, the US needs to focus on new supply chains and developing technological advantages.

China Energy & Environment

Global Energy Agenda

May 18, 2026

A connected threat needs a connected framework

By Omran Al-Kuwari

To mitigate future energy crises, the world needs more than its current patchwork approach. It needs to build a globally coordinated framework.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

UkraineAlert

May 12, 2026

Ukrainian long-range drones are turning Russia’s size into a weakness

By Peter Dickinson

Ukraine is waging a strategic bombing campaign of deep strikes across the Russian Federation that aims to exploit Russia's colossal size and transform it from a key strength into a fatal weakness, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Global Energy Agenda

May 7, 2026

The future of US energy security: Building on lessons from the Iran war

By Bob McNally

The global energy disruption caused by the Iran war reveals what US energy policy has gotten right—and wrong. These lessons could pave the way toward a more energy-secure world.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

May 4, 2026

Chinese electric vehicle exports rise amid the oil crisis, posing a dilemma for importing countries

By Joseph Webster and Tony Jing

China is exporting a large number of electric vehicles around the world amid today's oil shock. The cars' internet connectivity, however, could make importers vulnerable to cyberattacks.

China Energy & Environment

Fast Thinking

Apr 28, 2026

Why is the UAE leaving OPEC? 

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts unpack the geopolitical and energy market impacts of the UAE's just-announced departure.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
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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

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