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

2+2 dialogue offers the United States and India an opportunity

EnergySource
May 21, 2025

Replace the Inflation Reduction Act with FUEL-AI

By
Joseph Webster

To compete in the global AI race, the United States must dramatically expand its power supply. Replacing the Inflation Reduction Act with the FUEL-AI Act would reorient energy policy toward national security, fast-tracking domestic energy production and infrastructure to power America’s AI future.

Energy & Environment
Energy Transitions

2+2 dialogue offers the United States and India an opportunity

MENASource
May 15, 2025

Feeding the ‘water mafia’: Sanctions relief and Iran’s water crisis

By
Nik Kowsar

Trump comments mark the first time a US president acknowledges a “water mafia”: a connected network responsible for ecological catastrophes.

Climate Change & Climate Action
Energy & Environment

2+2 dialogue offers the United States and India an opportunity

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

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.

learn more

Events

Global Energy Forum

Jan 15, 2023

Amos Hochstein on how critical minerals impact net-zero progress—and US national security

By
Atlantic Council

The special presidential coordinator for global infrastructure and energy security warned that twentieth-century energy geopolitics are being copied over into the twenty-first century.


Energy & Environment

Energy Markets & Governance


Global Energy Forum

Jan 15, 2023

The lessons of COP27 and how they can apply to COP28

By
Atlantic Council

Speaking at the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Forum, leaders from COP27 in Egypt give a debrief on lessons learned that could be applied to COP28 in the United Arab Emirates.


Energy & Environment

Energy Markets & Governance

Load More

Content

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2018

2+2 dialogue offers the United States and India an opportunity

By Bharath Gopalaswamy

New Delhi and Washington remain at odds over the Trump administration’s decision to reimpose sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

Geopolitics & Energy Security India

Report

Aug 27, 2018

More than a frozen conflict: Russian foreign policy toward Moldova

By William H. Hill

Recent Russian policy documents, such as the Foreign Policy Concepts released in 2016, all identify the post-Soviet space as one of Moscow’s top priorities. Moldova does not top of the list in this region, but it is far more significant for Russian policy makers than most Western interlocutors realize.

Defense Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security

Report

Aug 27, 2018

More than a frozen conflict: Russian foreign policy toward Moldova

By William H. Hill

Recent Russian policy documents, such as the Foreign Policy Concepts released in 2016, all identify the post-Soviet space as one of Moscow’s top priorities. Moldova does not top of the list in this region, but it is far more significant for Russian policy makers than most Western interlocutors realize.

Defense Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Jul 13, 2018

What Iran’s World Cup team says about oil production

By Brenda Shaffer

In the current tight oil market, where little wiggle room exists between supply and demand, any production outage has the potential to significantly impact the global oil price. And while observers frequently discuss many of the geopolitical risks that could lead to such outages, the potential for outages in Iranian production warrants further consideration—and not […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

MENASource

Jul 12, 2018

To stabilize Libya, redistribute oil revenue

By Nate Mason

Debate over Libya currently focuses on whether elections should be held in advance of a political agreement or to move forward in the absence of one. This debate is irrelevant. There are no governments or political leaders in Libya with the authority to conclude a political agreement that militias will recognize, nor are those same […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Libya

EnergySource

Jul 5, 2018

The risks of the Trump Administration’s whiplash policy on Iranian oil

By David Mortlock and Ellen Wald

As the Trump Administration prepares to re-impose nuclear-related sanctions on Iran following the president’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), its treatment of Iranian oil sales could dramatically impact both the United States’ Iran strategy and the global oil market. The administration’s apparent decision to compel buyers […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

Report

Jun 20, 2018

Nord Stream 2: Understanding the potential consequences

By Alan Riley

the proposed Nord Stream 2 pipeline would have negative implications for European energy security, including undermining transit security, reducing route diversity, creating a “Straits of Hormuz” risk for Europe, and undermining the single market.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

EnergySource

Jun 12, 2018

The irony of Italy’s election for energy

By John Roberts

The new Italian government’s declaration that it is reviewing the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project threatens to derail a $40 billion set of projects that will bring Caspian gas to Europe and hand Russia a major victory in the process. What is at stake is the final leg of a complex set of projects referred […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Italy

EnergySource

Apr 27, 2018

Croatian LNG terminal: Now or never?

By David Koranyi

The planned Croatian liquified natural gas (LNG) import terminal is a critical, if yet unrealized, piece of the Central and Eastern European energy security puzzle. If constructed, the terminal would provide a gateway for LNG to reach landlocked markets in the region, thus creating competition for Russian gas and ensuring access to alternative supplies in […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Mar 28, 2018

How is US nuclear-power leadership being challenged?

By Global Energy Center

In this new issue brief, “US Nuclear-Power Leadership and the Chinese and Russian Challenge,” Global Energy Center Senior Fellow Robert F. Ichord looks at the strategic significance of nuclear power, arguing “US global leadership and engagement in nuclear power are vital to US national security and foreign-policy interests.” The Issue: While nuclear power represents a key […]

Americas China
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

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

Lisa Basquel

Program Assistant, European Energy Security

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Meredith Berger

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
Load More

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
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