Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Energy

The increasing global demand for low-carbon electricity sources has made nuclear an attractive and reliable energy source. Nuclear power is crucial to reaching international climate goals—especially given its ability to decarbonize electricity systems and “hard-to-abate” industries—and maintaining global security. A robust civil nuclear-export program can strengthen US climate diplomacy and will ensure the highest safety and nonproliferation standards as new countries seek to build nuclear-energy programs. As the United States grapples with geopolitical challenges posed by growing Russian and Chinese nuclear exports, civil nuclear cooperation between the United States and its allies and partners will become even more essential.

Recent analysis

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

Dispatches
Mar 3, 2026

How a crisis over a stockpile of uranium created an opening for US reengagement in Niger

By
Adal Rhoubeid and Maureen Farrell

The recent failed coup in Benin has had the unintended consequence of creating a path forward for US reengagement in the Sahel.

East Africa
Nuclear Energy

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

EnergySource
Jan 26, 2026

Davos underscored how leaders are navigating global energy crossroads 

By
Lisa Basquel, Elina Carpen, Amy Drake, Alexis Harmon

Amid shifting geopolitical lines, leaders at Davos 2026 articulated their visions for establishing regional and global energy security.

Critical Minerals
Energy & Environment

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

Fast Thinking
Nov 19, 2025

Digging into the details of the US-Saudi deals

By
Atlantic Council

Our experts dive into the US-Saudi announcements that followed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s White House visit on Tuesday.

Artificial Intelligence
Defense Industry

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
Thu, February 8, 2024 • 10:30 am ET

Building US nuclear energy independence: The Russia connection

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
Geopolitics & Energy Security
Nuclear Energy
Russia


New Atlanticist

Dec 6, 2023

John Kerry unveils a ‘critical’ new US strategy to expand fusion energy

By
Katherine Golden

"We need to pull ourselves together with every strength we have,” Kerry said on the first day of the Global Energy Forum.


Africa

Climate Change & Climate Action

Flagship Event
Tue, December 5, 2023 • 12:00 am ET

Global Energy Forum at COP28

The eighth Forum will be held in Dubai as energy and climate decision-makers converge for COP28.

Energy & Environment
Energy Markets & Governance
Energy Transitions
Geopolitics & Energy Security


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Content

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

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

Nana Menya Ayensu

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Fellow

George David Banks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Fellow

Rita Baranwal

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Fellow

Matt Bowen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Fellow

Stephen D. Comello

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Fellow

Joyce Connery

Distinguished Fellow

Global Energy Center Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
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