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

Tobin and Webster named in EU Parliament Briefing on Red Sea threats

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
Tobin and Webster named in EU Parliament Briefing on Red Sea threats

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
Tobin and Webster named in EU Parliament Briefing on Red Sea threats

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

In the News

Mar 24, 2024

Tobin and Webster named in EU Parliament Briefing on Red Sea threats
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Mar 20, 2024

Peacemaking through curbing Russian oil and gas exports

By Svitlana Romanko and Oleh Savytskyi

As Russia’s aggression in Ukraine continues, Western governments have available tools to limit the Kremlin's war budget. They can do this by plugging the gaps in sanctions against Russian oil and gas exports—and severing a critical revenue stream supporting the Kremlin’s war machine.

China Energy & Environment

In the News

Mar 17, 2024

Webster in The Wire China: A Russian Nuclear Anti-Satellite Weapon Is Not Good News for China
China Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Mar 14, 2024

Hydrogen challenges in a post-45V world 

By Matthew Blieske and Joseph Webster

Despite the US Treasury’s guidance on the 45V tax credit to promote "qualified clean hydrogen" production, domestic investment in the hydrogen ecosystem has yet to ramp up. 45V will be impactful, but as long as technical, commercial, and regulatory challenges remain unaddressed, the industry will not reach its full potential.

Americas Energy & Environment

Report

Mar 14, 2024

Reducing Europe’s reliance on Russian energy imports: Key strategies under five scenarios

By Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Paddy Ryan

To better understand how the war’s conclusion—or lack thereof—will impact the options available to transatlantic policymakers, this report analyzes European security across five general scenarios—a Ukrainian victory, a negotiated settlement, a frozen conflict, a protracted conflict, and a Russian victory.

Europe & Eurasia Geopolitics & Energy Security

UkraineAlert

Mar 12, 2024

Ukraine expands EU energy exports in fresh display of wartime resilience

By Aura Sabadus

Ukraine is boosting energy exports to the European Union in the latest demonstration of the country's remarkable wartime resilience, writes Aura Sabadus.

Conflict European Union

In the News

Mar 11, 2024

Shaffer joins Strait Talk to discuss the Turkmenistan/Turkey gas deal
Central Asia China

In the News

Mar 11, 2024

Shaffer quotes in the Washington Examiner on Biden’s LNG pause
Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance

TURKEYSource

Mar 11, 2024

Why Washington’s approach to Black Sea security may be about to change—for the better

By Arnold C. Dupuy

The NDAA signals a wider shift in Washington's strategy towards the critical Black Sea region and cooperation with littoral partners.

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

Mar 10, 2024

Webster quoted in The Wire China on state of global hydrogen industry
China Energy & Environment
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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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