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

Derentz joins Formiche to discuss energy, climate, and EU-US cooperation

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
Derentz joins Formiche to discuss energy, climate, and EU-US cooperation

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
Derentz joins Formiche to discuss energy, climate, and EU-US cooperation

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

Sep 6, 2023

Derentz joins Formiche to discuss energy, climate, and EU-US cooperation
China Climate Change & Climate Action
Solar panels are pictured.

In-Depth Research & Reports

Sep 6, 2023

Policy memo: A NATO-style spending target could fund long-term decarbonization

By Ben Judah, Francis Shin, Rachel Rizzo, Théophile Pouget-Abadie

EU member states and like-minded allies should set national-level spending targets, each based on a percentage of their respective annual GDPs, for decarbonization-related purposes. This would provide the basis of an international coalition that would ramp up global climate spending and set a useful benchmark to anchor high-level diplomatic discussions on the subject.

Climate Change & Climate Action European Union

In the News

Sep 3, 2023

Khakova quoted in Business Insider on the war’s acceleration of the energy transition
Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

In the News

Sep 1, 2023

Ryan quoted in Semafor on Europe’s Russian LNG reliance
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Sep 1, 2023

Khakova joins DW News Germany’s diversification efforts since final Russian gas delivery
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
Old Town Bucharest

EnergySource

Aug 31, 2023

A Three Seas Chamber of Commerce could enhance energy diversification across Central and Eastern Europe

By Olga Khakova, Paddy Ryan, and Bailee Mathews

The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) Summit in Bucharest takes place next week. To catalyze investment and diversify away from Russian energy, the summit should establish a Three Seas Chamber of Commerce, capable of sustaining progress and unleashing the region's full potential.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Event Recap

Aug 25, 2023

Workshop on the role of Central and Eastern Europe in European decarbonization 

By Transform Europe Initiative

The Atlantic Council co-hosted a high-level workshop on the role of Central and Eastern Europe in European decarbonization in Bratislava with GLOBSEC.

Central Europe Energy & Environment

In the News

Aug 23, 2023

Tobin joins The World to discuss how China is poised to benefit from Zimbabwe’s lithium supply
Africa China

In the News

Aug 18, 2023

Tobin quoted in the Washington Examiner on Chinese investments into African mining and processing plants
Africa China
Salar de Olaroz Lithium Mine, Argentina

EnergySource

Aug 16, 2023

One year after the IRA, the hard work to build resilient mineral supply chains is only beginning

By Reed Blakemore, Paddy Ryan

Twelve months since the IRA’s bet big on alternative mineral supply chains, the clean energy commodities market is changing. Washington’s strategy must change along with it.

Critical Minerals 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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