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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.

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

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

Experts

Events