Infrastructure

Infrastructure

The Atlantic Council develops solutions across industry and policy to bolster infrastructure and thus strengthen global security, unlock economic prosperity, and increase geopolitical influence.

Recent analysis

Iraq’s oil export vulnerability exposes the cost of unresolved disputes

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
Iraq’s oil export vulnerability exposes the cost of unresolved disputes

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
Iraq’s oil export vulnerability exposes the cost of unresolved disputes

Issue Brief Mar 3, 2026

Expanding transmission infrastructure to achieve low-cost, reliable, and abundant energy

By Ken Berlin, Frank Willey

With demand for electricity rising, the United States needs a long-term strategy to expand the power grid and improve energy reliability and affordability.
Energy & Environment Infrastructure
Iraq’s oil export vulnerability exposes the cost of unresolved disputes

EnergySource Feb 25, 2026

Can Project Vault fortify the US industrial base against mineral chokepoints?

By Morgan D. Bazilian and Lt. Col. Jahara “FRANKY” Matisek

Project Vault will help the United States create a stockpile of critical minerals, but its success as a strategic asset will depend on its governance.
Energy & Environment 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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Upcoming Events

Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals

Past Events

Public Event Tue, March 17, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

Transmission 2026: Durable infrastructure and regulations for a new digital age

Grid operators, regulators, and experts gather for a conversation on innovative strategies for the buildout and operation of power grids to accommodate new generators and historic demand growth, including from AI workloads.
Energy & Environment Energy Transitions United States and Canada
Public Event Tue, October 28, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

ABB’s Chairman Peter R. Voser on innovating for the electrified economy

Exploring how technology bridges energy supply-demand gaps while firms advance energy security, economic growth, and geopolitical objectives.
Artificial Intelligence Energy & Environment Energy Transitions United States and Canada
Flagship Event Tue, June 17, 2025 • 5:00 am ET

2025 Global Energy Forum

The ninth Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum was held on June 17 and 18 in Washington, DC.
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
Public Event Thu, May 1, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Underwater mayhem: Countering NATO energy & critical infrastructure threats

The Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and Eurasia Center are co-hosting a hybrid discussion on the challenges of protecting NATO’s energy and critical infrastructure from physical sabotage perpetrated by Russia, centered around the launch of an insightful new report, “Underwater Mayhem: Countering Threats to Energy and Critical Infrastructure Across the NATO Alliance and Beyond”.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Europe & Eurasia European Union
Online Event Fri, April 18, 2025 • 5:30 am ET

Banking on Belém: Mobilizing finance for energy and nature in the Global South

Ahead of COP30, experts discuss the role of loan guarantees in boosting private investment in clean energy, nature, and the climate in emerging economies.
Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business Energy & Environment
Online Event Thu, March 20, 2025 • 3:00 am ET

Report launch: The role of nuclear energy in economic development

The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center hosts a virtual event to launch the report “Atoms for Appalachia: The role of nuclear energy in economic development.”

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
Public Event Tue, December 3, 2024 • 9:00 am ET

Transmission 2025: Prospects for reform in US grid permitting and planning

Experts discuss the policies, innovations, and investments that could drive the transmission buildout in 2025.
Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
Online Event Mon, June 12, 2023 • 4:30 am ET

Planning the energy transition: Global perspectives

Experts compare and analyze transmission planning strategies in the US, EU, Australia, and Canada and discuss how to improve the process around the world.
Australia Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
Online Event Wed, May 24, 2023 • 9:30 am ET

Building for the transition: Transatlantic lessons in permitting reform

Experts critically examine EU and US permitting and discuss key actions and pathways for effective regulatory and legislative reform.
Americas Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia European Union

Content

MENASource

Apr 7, 2026

Iraq’s oil export vulnerability exposes the cost of unresolved disputes

By Yesar Al-Maleki

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz shows how Iraq’s energy security depends as much on political coordination as on infrastructure.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Infrastructure

UkraineAlert

Apr 2, 2026

Ukraine’s heating system resilience offers lessons for European neighbors

By Miro Sedlák

Russia's bombardment of Ukraine's civilian heating system has forced Kyiv to develop a model of infrastructure resilience based on decentralization and speed that offers important lessons for Ukraine's EU neighbors, writes Miro Sedlák.

Conflict Critical Infrastructure Policy

In the News

Apr 2, 2026

Matchett for War on the Rocks on threats to desalination plants and preparedness for attacks in the Gulf

By Ginger Matchett

On March 31, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett wrote a feature for “Holding water hostage” for War on Rocks on the threat to desalination plants in the Gulf and how states should prepare for attacks. She wrote: “We are at an inflection point with how aggressors threaten strategic assets in warfare and the significant geopolitical weight […]

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

MENASource

Apr 1, 2026

Jordan’s regional connectivity begins in Riyadh

By Jesse Marks

Jordan must take the lead in making economic interconnectivity a reality with its closest regional partners.

Economy & Business Infrastructure

In the News

Apr 1, 2026

Matchett quoted in ABC News on the threat of Iranian attacks on Gulf desalination plants

By Ginger Matchett

On March 31, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett was quoted in “As Trump postpones threatened attacks on Iran’s power plants, experts warn of the potential humanitarian crisis” for ABC News about the consequences if Iran successfully destroyed the Gulf’s desalination infrastructure. She noted that due to arid conditions in the region, the facilities are a major potential […]

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

In the News

Mar 30, 2026

Matchett quoted in CNN on the Iran war’s threat to desalination plants and data center investment in the Gulf

By Ginger Matchett

On March 30, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett was quoted in “Trump helped build the Middle East’s AI ambitions. Could his war break them?” for CNN on the risk to data center investment because of the US-Israel-Iran war. She explained how the war is leaving data center investment up in the air because protection of data centers […]

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

In the News

Mar 28, 2026

Matchett quoted in Agencia EFE on how the war in the Middle East puts desalination plants at risk

By Ginger Matchett

On March 27, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett was quoted in “Middle East war puts drinking water supply in Gulf countries at risk” for Agencia EFE on how the Gulf states rely on desalination plants, making infrastructure an easy target and vulnerable to attacks. She noted there is a paradox between oil and water, where oil extraction […]

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

In the News

Mar 24, 2026

Matchett for Noticias Uno on Iran’s threats to desalination plants

By Ginger Matchett

On March 23, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett was featured on Noticias Uno’s broadcast on the war in Iran and desalination plants. She stated how she thinks Iran is threatening attacks on desalination plants because they want the Gulf states to take action and possibly intervene.

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

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

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
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Experts

Fellow

Omran Al-Kuwari

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Fellow

Lee Beck

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment

Staff

Reed Blakemore

Director, Research and Programs

Global Energy Center

Geopolitics & Energy Security Energy Transitions

Fellow

Neil Robert Brown

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy Markets & Governance Energy & Environment

Fellow

Benjamin Byboth

Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Fellow

Andrea Clabough

Nonresident Fellow

Global Energy Center

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
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