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

The new Middle East is modular

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
The new Middle East is modular

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
The new Middle East is modular

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

Public Event Thu, October 29, 2026 • 11:00 am ET

Reading the signals: The geopolitical implications of a new Congress
Artificial Intelligence Economy & Business Elections Energy Markets & Governance
Online Event Tue, October 20, 2026 • 1:00 pm ET

Trump’s Russia deal and the stakes for Ukraine
Europe & Eurasia Geopolitics & Energy Security Politics & Diplomacy Russia
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Content

The Big Story

Oct 21, 2026

The new Middle East is modular

By Jonathan Panikoff

In the Middle East today, states are aligning issue by issue, not choosing sides. They cooperate in one area and compete in the next. This modular alignment is shaping the region, even as it manages the shocks of war and energy-market volatility.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East

Report

Oct 20, 2026

The European Union as a compound power in Cold War 2.0

By Piotr Arak and Velina Tchakarova

Contrary to the prevailing narrative, the European Union has the economic power and strategic vision to act as a credible major power. Willingness to act is the missing piece.

Defense Industry Energy Transitions

Dispatches

Oct 19, 2026

Four ways the midterms can reshape US energy policy

By Andrea Clabough, David L. Goldwyn

The next Congress has options to act, particularly if one or both chambers shift from a Republican to a Democratic majority.

Elections Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Oct 14, 2026

Ensuring US military readiness in the face of water, power, and fuel shortages

By Michael Dunn, Abraham Holland, Marcus Lee

US overseas military installations depend on host nations for power, fuel, and water. A comprehensive review and investment plan is urgently needed to meet the energy and infrastructure security requirements of modern warfare.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Oct 14, 2026

Optimizing the NATO 1.5 percent investment commitment for energy security

By Chuck Dockery, Joel Spangenberg, Thomas Winter

NATO's 1.5 percent resilience pledge can be leveraged to build a capability-based energy framework, drawing from lessons in Ukraine and globally.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Oct 8, 2026

Israel and Turkey are not natural rivals. It’s time to stop treating them that way. 

By Alissa Pavia

The West should find ways of managing rather than entrenching both countries further into this competition.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security

UkraineAlert

Sep 30, 2026

Ukraine can play a key role enabling US energy exports to Europe

By Stephen Blank

As Russia expands the bombardment of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, changes are taking place in the country's energy sector with implications for the United States and the future shape of European gas markets, writes Stephen Blank.

Conflict European Union

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2026

How Europe and the Gulf can unite behind an energy-transition agenda

By Ariel Ezrahi

European and Gulf states share a strong interest in restoring the free flow of energy cut off by the Iran war, and in reducing their economies' exposure to chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. What's their best path forward?

Energy Transitions Europe

UkraineAlert

Sep 23, 2026

Putin’s Ukraine invasion has made Russia China’s junior partner

By Zahar Hryniv

Putin’s evident inability to secure Beijing’s backing for the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline is strengthening international perceptions that the invasion of Ukraine has reduced Russia to the status of China’s junior partner, writes Zahar Hryniv.

China Conflict

Dispatches

Sep 21, 2026

Dispatch from Baku: Azerbaijan must look forward even amid Russian and Iranian conflicts

By Andrew D’Anieri

A recent visit to the Caucasus region reveals a country exposed to two wars, but also one that must not wait to chart its economic and diplomatic future.

Central Asia Economy & Business
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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

Lisa Basquel

Assistant Director

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
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Events

Public Event Thu, October 29, 2026 • 11:00 am ET

Reading the signals: The geopolitical implications of a new Congress
Artificial Intelligence Economy & Business Elections Energy Markets & Governance