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

A maritime blockade of Taiwan by the People’s Republic of China: A strategy to defeat fear and coercion

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
A maritime blockade of Taiwan by the People’s Republic of China: A strategy to defeat fear and coercion

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
A maritime blockade of Taiwan by the People’s Republic of China: A strategy to defeat fear and coercion

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

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2020

Election 2020: What’s at stake for energy policy?

By David L. Goldwyn and Andrea Clabough

As the US presidential election in November 2020 draws nearer, the energy policy platforms—including domestic energy, climate change, foreign, and trade policies—from the Democratic candidates, as well as the energy policies of a potential second Trump Administration, have become increasingly clear. The competing visions of a Republican and a Democratic administration could hardly be more disparate, and industry and external stakeholders should prepare for a volatile outlook regardless of the outcome in November 2020—what are the salient energy policies under the two scenarios and how will they address the deep and entrenched energy challenges that face the United States?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Jan 12, 2020

European energy diversification: How alternative sources, routes, and clean technologies can bolster energy security and decarbonization

By Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Irina Markina

The European Union’s efforts to achieve a carbon-neutral economy present a unique and timely opportunity to strengthen European energy security. What is the EU currently doing to meet its decarbonization goals, address the role of natural gas in Europe’s low-carbon future, and explain the potential for new gas sources, alternative gas routes, and clean energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions? And how can this be done while simultaneously increasing European energy security and opportunities for transatlantic cooperation?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
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Content

Report

Dec 12, 2023

A maritime blockade of Taiwan by the People’s Republic of China: A strategy to defeat fear and coercion

By Marek Jestrab

Marek Jestrab considers a naval blockade of Taiwan by the People's Republic of China and advances recommendations for the United States, Taiwan, and likeminded nations to resist and respond to a blockade.

China Conflict

Econographics

Dec 11, 2023

China’s manufacturing overcapacity threatens global green goods trade

By Niels Graham

Chinese lending is exacerbating a growing glut in its green manufacturing sector. Beijing is increasingly looking abroad to absorb excess capacity. This may have devastating effects for the global trading system as economies move to protect their own domestic industry.

China Economy & Business

Report

Dec 8, 2023

Prospects for cooperation in energy transition for a sustainable future: GCC, Turkey, and regional perspectives

By Atlantic Council IN TURKEY & TRENDS Research and Advisory

An essay series exploring partnership between the GCC countries and Turkey to accelerate the energy transition and clean-energy deployment.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

Report

Dec 8, 2023

An introduction to regional perspectives on climate change: Gulf Cooperation Council and Turkey

By Dr. Serhat S. Çubukçuoğlu

Turkey and the GCC needs to build on the momentum of growing economic ties to bring collective gains in energy transition.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

Report

Dec 8, 2023

Charting energy transitions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Arabian Peninsula

By Karim Elgendy

While Turkey and the GCC have different renewable energy motivations, they need to evolve and combine experience and resources for energy security and sustainability.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Dec 8, 2023

Technology leaders warn that 2030 climate aims are at risk without accelerated support for innovation

By Nick Fouriezos

Global policymakers and leaders will have to act quickly to pave the way for innovation if they want any chance of meeting their lofty 2030 decarbonization goals.

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Dec 8, 2023

What the Global South needs for a just energy transition

By Katherine Golden

Achieving a just energy transition for the Global South may require a complete reversal in the way the world has operated for centuries.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

Past events

Dec 7, 2023

TRENDS – Atlantic Council 3rd annual conference on sustainable security: The soft and hard implications of climate action

By Alex Elnagdy

This year’s Conference at COP28 explored how climate change is shaping the global orders of conflict and finance—all to elicit insights from practitioners and experts from the region and beyond to formulate recommendations for policymakers.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Transcript

Dec 7, 2023

Biden’s energy security adviser Amos Hochstein on COP28 and the future of the Middle East

By Atlantic Council

“You have to bring everybody together,” Hochstein said at the Global Energy Forum in Dubai, which is currently hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Climate Change & Climate Action Conflict

European Energy Security

Dec 7, 2023

Energy security as the foundation for Ukraine’s formula for peace

By German Galushchenko

Rebuilding Ukraine’s energy sector in line with the world’s best practices in sustainable development and decarbonization will help to finally break the grip of the fossil fuel dictatorship and strengthen the new energy model of the world.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions
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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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