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

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

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

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

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 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

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2025

UAE Minister Sultan Al Jaber on how to solve AI’s energy conundrum

By Katherine Golden

Meeting the demand for energy associated with AI "is not just a technical challenge,” but a “once-in-a-generation" opportunity, Al Jaber said at the 2025 Global Energy Forum.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Transcript

Jun 17, 2025

The AI race ‘is not just about code,’ it’s ‘about gigawatts,’ says the UAE’s Sultan Al Jaber

By Atlantic Council

At the 2025 Global Energy Forum, Al Jaber spoke about the need to "hyperscale energy" and update energy grids across the world.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Jun 16, 2025

US global leadership in the age of electricity

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Amid shifting geopolitics and the emerging "age of electricity," the United States has an opportunity to assert global leadership in energy and security. Through foreign policy, the Trump administration can leverage US strengths in natural gas, nuclear power, and emerging energy technologies to engage allies in building a secure and resilient global electricity system.

China Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Jun 13, 2025

The strategic reserve and the Israel-Iran conflict

By Joseph Webster, Landon Derentz

The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve is well-stocked and poised to help ease market pressures amid growing tensions stemming from Israel’s strikes on Iran. Rising domestic production, strong export capacity, and high net import cover collectively enable the United States to respond decisively while preserving energy stability at home.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Jun 11, 2025

Complex energy systems face low-tech threats

By Travis Nels

The daring destruction of Russian strategic bombers through an operation of the Ukrainian intelligence service highlights the power of asymmetric warfare. While a stunning feat for Ukraine, the operation serves as an important reminder that the use of cheap, low-end systems can also be used against critical, vulnerable infrastructure in the West—its grid, in particular.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jun 11, 2025

Donovan quoted in China Daily on potential US reactions to proposed EC sanctions on Russia

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2025

How Kazakhstan can anchor a resilient rare‑earth supply chain for the West

By Miras Zhiyenbayev

By partnering with Kazakhstan on rare-earth element mining, the United States can reduce its dependence on China and build a more secure critical minerals supply chain.

Central Asia Critical Minerals
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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

Lisa Basquel

Assistant Director

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
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