Recent analysis

Ukraine’s nuclear state of play: The international dimension

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
Ukraine’s nuclear state of play: The international dimension

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
Ukraine’s nuclear state of play: The international dimension

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 Fri, March 28, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Frontiers Project Meeting: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
Online Event Thu, March 20, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

Report launch: The role of nuclear energy in economic development
Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
Online Event Thu, February 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

A new era for nuclear energy with the International Energy Agency’s Fatih Birol

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT— Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, discusses the role of nuclear energy in the future energy landscape.

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
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Content

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

EnergySource

Mar 23, 2018

Japan’s energy crossroads

By David Livingston

Few countries have navigated as challenging an energy landscape as Japan in recent years. Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, Japan’s dependency on energy imports has climbed to 93 percent and its energy costs have risen sharply, straining consumers and industry alike. With Japan’s forty-eight nuclear reactors offline, the country began using more coal, gas, […]

Energy Transitions Japan

Issue Brief

Jul 31, 2017

Nuclear geopolitics in the Baltic Sea region: Exposing Russian strategic interests behind Ostrovets NPP

By Giedrius Česnakas and Justinas Juozaitis

In the Baltic Sea Region, there is an important but often overlooked and underestimated security challenge brewing. Russia is increasing its foothold in Belarus by facilitating and supporting the construction of the Ostrovets NPP, while simultaneously blocking other strategic energy projects.

Belarus Eastern Europe

Issue Brief

Jul 31, 2017

Nuclear geopolitics in the Baltic Sea region: Exposing Russian strategic interests behind Ostrovets NPP

By Giedrius Česnakas and Justinas Juozaitis

In the Baltic Sea Region, there is an important but often overlooked and underestimated security challenge brewing. Russia is increasing its foothold in Belarus by facilitating and supporting the construction of the Ostrovets NPP, while simultaneously blocking other strategic energy projects.

Belarus Eastern Europe

Issue Brief

Dec 21, 2016

Turkey’s nuclear program

By Aaron Stein

To decrease its heavy reliance on fossil fuels the Turkish government has made ambitious plans to increase its production of nuclear energy. It has reached tentative agreement with Russia and a Japanese-French consortium to build two nuclear power plants near Mersin on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast and in the Sinop District on the Black Sea coast. […]

Nuclear Energy Turkey

Issue Brief

Dec 21, 2016

Turkey’s nuclear program

By Aaron Stein

To decrease its heavy reliance on fossil fuels the Turkish government has made ambitious plans to increase its production of nuclear energy. It has reached tentative agreement with Russia and a Japanese-French consortium to build two nuclear power plants near Mersin on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast and in the Sinop District on the Black Sea coast.

Nuclear Energy Turkey

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

Fellow

Rumina Velshi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Nuclear Energy

Fellow

George David Banks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

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
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