Recent analysis

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

Content

Issue Brief

May 14, 2025

The United States’ role in managing the nuclear fuel cycle

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Kemal Pasamehmetoglu</span>

Global nuclear energy generation is likely to increase significantly in the next few decades. This expansion provides an opportunity for the United States to shape the global nuclear energy landscape and set a high bar for standards of safety, security, and nonproliferation for the nuclear fuel cycle.

Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals

EnergySource

May 13, 2025

Four energy deals Trump will look to make on his Middle East trip 

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Ellen Wald</span>

Trump’s upcoming trip to the Middle East will focus on advancing energy and commercial agreements, including securing Gulf investments in US manufacturing, increasing US LNG imports, deepening nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia, and locking in oil production commitments. These efforts are ultimately aimed at advancing broader geopolitical objectives—countering Russian influence and strengthening US energy dominance.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

May 9, 2025

Environmental risk weighs heavily on the possible rewards of deep sea mining 

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">William Yancey Brown</span>

Despite growing political momentum to advance deep sea mining for critical minerals, the practice remains at odds with existing US and international environmental laws. Current proposals fail to meet legal standards, and the potential for irreversible damage to marine ecosystems raises serious concerns.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Apr 30, 2025

Experts react: At last, the US and Ukraine signed a minerals deal. Here’s what to expect next.

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Atlantic Council experts</span>

After months of wrangling, Washington and Kyiv quietly finalized a much-anticipated agreement on April 30. Atlantic Council experts dig into the details.

Critical Minerals Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fast Thinking

Apr 29, 2025

Canada’s voters send a message to Washington—and the world

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Atlantic Council</span>

Our experts explain what the Liberals’ election victory means for Canada’s relations with Washington and approach to foreign policy.

Economy & Business Elections

EnergySource

Apr 29, 2025

Can Nord Stream really rise from the dead? 

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Alan Riley</span>

Despite recent discussions between Moscow and Washington over restarting the Nord Stream pipelines, legal, financial, and political hurdles make reopening them improbable. Multimillion dollar claims against Gazprom along with US stakes in the European LNG market are likely to severely limit support for Russian gas flows to the EU.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Apr 28, 2025

If Russian gas returns to Europe, it must go through Ukraine

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Sergiy Makogon</span>

The resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe as part of a potential cease-fire agreement in Ukraine is under discussion, but any such flows would need to transit through Ukraine rather than Nord Stream or other routes. To safeguard regional stability, the EU, Ukraine, and the US must enforce strict safeguards to avoid renewed dependency and prevent Russia from once again weaponizing its energy exports.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Apr 23, 2025

Illicit mineral supply chains fuel the DRC’s M23 insurgency 

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Clarkson Kamurai, Brad Handler, and Morgan Bazilian</span>

The illicit trade of mined materials is fueling the M23 insurgency in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), threatening regional stability and hindering development. As the United States considers a minerals-for-security agreement with the DRC, international engagement, ethical sourcing practices, and strengthened oversight are critical to fostering long-term peace in this resource-rich region.

Africa Critical Minerals

MENASource

Apr 23, 2025

Gas diplomacy: A blueprint for Middle East peace and global energy security

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Luay al-Khatteeb</span>

A US-Iran deal could serve as a turning point towards a wider strategy encompassing regional de-escalation and energy diplomacy.

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2025

Tariffs can help secure US critical mineral supply chains—if they’re done right

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Reed Blakemore</span>, <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Alexis Harmon</span>

US tariffs on critical minerals should be precisely targeted and coupled with robust federal support for domestic mining.

Critical Minerals Economy & Business

Experts

Events