Recent analysis

What is the state of US nuclear energy leadership?

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
What is the state of US nuclear energy leadership?

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
What is the state of US nuclear energy leadership?

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

Online Event Mon, June 23, 2025 • 8:00 pm ET

The next decade: Shaping the future of US-ROK nuclear cooperation
Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
Public Event Fri, March 28, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Frontiers Project Meeting: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
Online Event Thu, March 20, 2025 • 3:00 am ET

Report launch: The role of nuclear energy in economic development
Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
Load More

Content

EnergySource

May 23, 2019

What is the state of US nuclear energy leadership?

By Becca Hunziker

Throughout 2018, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center convened a “Task Force on US Nuclear Energy Leadership,” comprised of civilian and military experts in foreign policy, defense, and nuclear energy, with Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) as honorary co-chairs, to address the national security implications of the decline of the US nuclear […]

Americas
Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2019

Nuclear power could be the key to a secure future, senators say

By David A. Wemer

The potential for nuclear power plants to provide substantial emissions-free energy on a reliable and cost-effective basis will be key to addressing a range of challenges facing the United States, from climate change to economic competition, US Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) said on May 21.

Climate Change & Climate Action
Nuclear Energy

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
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Kayla T. Orta

Nonresident Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Arms Control East Asia

Fellow

Rita Baranwal

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Board director

Sherri Goodman

Board Director

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative Global Energy Center

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

Fellow

Joyce Connery

Distinguished Fellow

Global Energy Center Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Fellow

Stephen D. Comello

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Fellow

Rumina Velshi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Nuclear Energy
Load More