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

Strong currents, stronger alliances: Reinforcing the EU’s Black Sea energy strategy through transatlantic collaboration  

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
Strong currents, stronger alliances: Reinforcing the EU’s Black Sea energy strategy through transatlantic collaboration  

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
Strong currents, stronger alliances: Reinforcing the EU’s Black Sea energy strategy through transatlantic collaboration  

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

Report

Jan 9, 2020

International grid integration: Efficiencies, vulnerabilities, and strategic implications in Asia

By Phillip Cornell

In order to meet growing global demand for electricity, and in response to an increase in renewables, power networks and markets are evolving and becoming increasingly interconnected. South and Southeast Asia have already had some success with interconnections, and China’s vision and Belt and Road Initiative loom large in the region, but there are geopolitical concerns to contend with. Could a US model manage these concerns? What is the state of regional power markets in Asia and investment in regional grid infrastructure, and what responses are we already seeing to emerging trends?

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance

Report

Jan 9, 2020

Energy sector diversification: Meeting demographic challenges in the MENA region

By Bina Hussein

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is projected to experience significant demographic growth by 2050, growth which will have to be met with commensurate economic expansion and job opportunities, or the region will risk an increase in political instability. To meet this challenge, countries in the region must diversify their economies beyond the energy sector and expand their energy sector beyond hydrocarbons. What are the key trends that MENA countries will have to contend with, what is already being done, and what further steps should be taken?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
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Content

EnergySource

Jun 27, 2025

Strong currents, stronger alliances: Reinforcing the EU’s Black Sea energy strategy through transatlantic collaboration  

By Andrei Covatariu

The EU's recently released Black Sea strategy will thrive only with robust transatlantic collaboration. This relationship will be crucial to stabilizing the region’s energy security, facilitating its energy transition, and ensuring that initiatives align with geopolitical and national security objectives.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Jun 27, 2025

Power Africa can help boost American energy dominance 

By Molly Moran

Power Africa was recently paused by the Trump administration as it undergoes review to determine its alignment with US national interests. To promote US energy dominance, the administration should reinstate Power Africa to boost US supply chain resilience, reduce dependence on China, and create opportunities for American companies.

Africa Critical Minerals

Report

Jun 23, 2025

Building electricity bridges: The critical role of high-voltage direct current lines

By Joseph Webster, Frank Willey

A report on the potential of long distance HVDC electric cables and their critical role in regional connectivity for a secure, affordable, and cleaner energy future.

Africa Central Asia

UkraineAlert

Jun 19, 2025

New EU and US energy sanctions are needed to disarm Putin’s war machine

By Aura Sabadus

The EU and US have prepared measures that could dramatically weaken Russia’s energy weapon and undermine Putin’s war machine. The question now is whether they have the political leadership to proceed, writes Aura Sabadus.

Conflict European Union

EnergySource

Jun 18, 2025

Energy security is only achievable through global partnerships

By Elena Benaim, Paddy Ryan

The Atlantic Council’s flagship Global Energy Forum concluded its programming in Washington, DC, today. What emerged as a central theme throughout was the undeniable need for any single country to engage in international partnerships to achieve energy and national security, whether speakers were discussing divergent transatlantic views, nuclear power, or critical mineral supply chains.

Africa Americas

New Atlanticist

Jun 18, 2025

‘The Department of Defense runs on fuel’: Energy’s evolving role in US security

By John Cookson

As adversaries increasingly target power grids, fuel delivery systems, and digital control networks, the security of these energy systems has become a growing concern for military planners and policymakers alike.

Defense Policy Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Jun 18, 2025

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: Ukraine must emerge from war independent—including its energy

By Katherine Golden

“The geopolitics of energy is important . . . because it is so central to power dynamics," the foreign minister said at the 2025 Global Energy Forum.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Jun 17, 2025

The energy system is more complex than ever: Navigating AI, competitiveness, and growth

By Elena Benaim, Paddy Ryan

The Atlantic Council’s flagship Global Energy Forum opened today in Washington, DC, bringing together top energy and policy leaders at a critical moment for global energy strategy. These experts and policymakers weighed in on the increasingly complex landscape of energy policies amid intense competition to win the artificial intelligence (AI) race, rising geopolitical tensions, and divergent national priorities.

Africa Americas

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2025

What comes next in the Iran-Israel war, from a US response to energy impacts

By Katherine Golden

RBC Capital Markets' Helima Croft and the Atlantic Council's Brett McGurk discussed the energy and security risks resulting from the Iran-Israel war.

Conflict Energy & Environment

Transcript

Jun 17, 2025

The energy risks of escalation in the Middle East, according to Brett McGurk and Helima Croft

By Atlantic Council

At the 2025 Global Energy Forum, Croft and McGurk talked about possible US responses to the Iran-Israel war and the potential energy impacts of escalation.

Conflict 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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