Recent analysis

US nuclear energy leadership: Innovation and the strategic global challenge

New Atlanticist May 25, 2025

What Trump’s new executive orders mean for the US nuclear energy industry

By Jennifer T. Gordon

The US president signed four executive orders on May 23 intended to usher in an “American nuclear renaissance.”
Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
US nuclear energy leadership: Innovation and the strategic global challenge

New Atlanticist Apr 29, 2025

Are small modular reactors in Kazakhstan’s nuclear energy future?

By Aruzhan Meirkhanova

While Kazakhstan’s immediate nuclear focus is on a large-scale power plant, in the coming years small modular reactors could offer several advantages.
Central Asia Nuclear Energy
US nuclear energy leadership: Innovation and the strategic global challenge

EnergySource Mar 7, 2025

The US can reduce Russia’s nuclear energy—and geopolitical—influence

By Marina Lorenzini

As the Trump administration outlines its energy priorities, strengthening the US nuclear industry remains a point of bipartisan agreement. Revitalizing this sector will lead not only to domestic economic growth, but also a reduction in Russia’s dominance in global nuclear markets and its geopolitical leverage.
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Programs and initiatives

Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

The Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative is the Atlantic Council’s dedicated home for the exploration of nuclear energy’s future.

Global Energy Center

The Global Energy Center promotes energy security by working alongside government, industry, civil society, and public stakeholders to devise pragmatic solutions to the geopolitical, sustainability, and economic challenges of the changing global energy landscape.

Events

Public Event Tue, September 23, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Nuclear Energy Policy Summit 2025: Delivering on nuclear energy ambitions
Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

EnergySource

Jun 18, 2025

Energy security is only achievable through global partnerships

By Elena Benaim, Paddy Ryan

The Atlantic Council’s flagship Global Energy Forum concluded its programming in Washington, DC, today. What emerged as a central theme throughout was the undeniable need for any single country to engage in international partnerships to achieve energy and national security, whether speakers were discussing divergent transatlantic views, nuclear power, or critical mineral supply chains.

Africa
Americas
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
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Content

Report

May 20, 2019

US nuclear energy leadership: Innovation and the strategic global challenge

By Atlantic Council Task Force on US Nuclear Energy Leadership

A flourishing domestic nuclear energy sector is critical to US national security, both in the interconnections between military and civilian uses of nuclear energy, as well as in foreign policy.

Nuclear Energy
United States and Canada

In the News

Apr 16, 2019

Robert Manning in Foreign Policy about North Korea nuclear arsenal

By Atlantic Council

English
Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Mar 20, 2019

Roadblock for US nuclear power?

By Melissa S Hersh and Edward D Kee

Five nuclear power vendors are competing for a sizeable sale in Saudi Arabia, with Westinghouse facing off against state-owned enterprises (SOEs) from France, South Korea, Russia, and China. A few decades ago, the US was the world leader in nuclear power technology. However, today the US needs to sell nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the […]

Americas
Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Feb 13, 2019

Nuclear energy’s absence from the State of the Union: A missed opportunity

By Jennifer T. Gordon

Many commentators noted the absence of any reference to climate change, clean energy, or the Green New Deal in President Trump’s State of the Union address on February 5th. In fact, the only mention that Trump made of energy at all was to praise the US for becoming “the number one producer oil and natural […]

Climate Change & Climate Action
Energy & Environment

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2019

The alternatives to coal: can gas, renewables, and nuclear work together?

By David A. Wemer

“There will be cooperation and there will be a competition—competition for selection… [but also] cooperation together to achieved the required reliability," said Fatima Al-Foora Shamsi, UAE’s assistant undersecretary for electricity and future energy affairs.

Nuclear Energy
Oil and Gas

EnergySource

Oct 9, 2018

Ukraine’s nuclear state of play: The international dimension

By Melissa Hersh and Edward Kee

The following is the second installment in a three-part series on the proposed Energy Bridge project, an energy development and regional energy interconnection initiative for Ukraine and its neighbors. In Part 1 of this series, we described the Energy Bridge project and why it is an important initiative for Ukraine. In this Part 2, we […]

Europe & Eurasia
Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Oct 3, 2018

What role can Energy Bridge play in Ukraine’s energy resilience?

By Melissa Hersh and Edward Kee

The following is the first installment in a three-part series on the proposed Energy Bridge project, an energy development and regional energy interconnection initiative for Ukraine and its neighbors. The series covers issues and opportunities related to Energy Bridge from three viewpoints: Ukraine, the European Union (EU) and other international parties (e.g., the US), and […]

Europe & Eurasia
Geopolitics & Energy Security

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Mar 28, 2018

How is US nuclear-power leadership being challenged?

By Global Energy Center

In this new issue brief, “US Nuclear-Power Leadership and the Chinese and Russian Challenge,” Global Energy Center Senior Fellow Robert F. Ichord looks at the strategic significance of nuclear power, arguing “US global leadership and engagement in nuclear power are vital to US national security and foreign-policy interests.” The Issue: While nuclear power represents a key […]

Americas
China

Issue Brief

Mar 28, 2018

US nuclear-power leadership and the Chinese and Russian challenge

By Dr. Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Nuclear energy remains an important part of the US energy mix. However, following years of underinvestment, US nuclear power is in decline while China and Russia are ramping up investment both at home and abroad, most notably in states that are key players in current geopolitical issues, such as Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

Energy & Environment
Geopolitics & Energy Security

Issue Brief

Mar 28, 2018

US nuclear-power leadership and the Chinese and Russian challenge

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Nuclear energy remains an important part of the US energy mix. However, following years of underinvestment, US nuclear power is in decline while China and Russia are ramping up investment both at home and abroad, most notably in states that are key players in current geopolitical issues, such as Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

Energy & Environment
Geopolitics & Energy Security
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Experts

Fellow

Matt Bowen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Staff

Amy Drake

Assistant Director

Global Energy Center Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Staff

Jennifer T. Gordon

Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Global Energy Center Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Nuclear Energy Renewables & Advanced Energy

Fellow

Stephen S. Greene

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment

Fellow

Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Nuclear Energy Energy Transitions

Fellow

Joe Jacobson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Nuclear Energy
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