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

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In the News

Aug 30, 2023

Hinata-Yamaguchi quoted in South China Morning Post

On August 29, IPSI nonresident senior fellow Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi was quoted in South China Morning Post. He discusses the delicate political challenges of Japan’s recent decision to discharge wastewater from its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, arguing that “going forward, Japan has to ensure that it upholds the transparency that it is showing.”

China Energy & Environment

Event Recap

Aug 25, 2023

Workshop on the role of Central and Eastern Europe in European decarbonization 

By Transform Europe Initiative

The Atlantic Council co-hosted a high-level workshop on the role of Central and Eastern Europe in European decarbonization in Bratislava with GLOBSEC.

Central Europe Energy & Environment

Report

Aug 24, 2023

The global future of nuclear energy

By Matt Bowen

Nuclear energy could play a larger global role in addressing growing energy demands while reducing the risks of climate change and air pollution.

Americas Energy & Environment

In the News

Jul 18, 2023

Webster in The Diplomat: Russia, China, and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

In the News

Jul 16, 2023

Cohen in Forbes: Putin’s threats to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power plant endangers energy transition

By Atlantic Council

Energy Transitions Nuclear Energy
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi visits Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant during a recent inspection, June 15, 2023. (Source: IAEA via ABACAPRESS.COM and Reuters Connect)

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2023

Russian War Report: Russian conspiracy alleges false flag at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Allegations of a supposedly US and Ukraine-planned false flag operation on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant spread across social media ahead of the NATO Summit.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Jun 21, 2023

Putin’s nuclear threats will escalate as Ukraine’s counteroffensive unfolds

By Diane Francis

As Ukraine's long-awaited counteroffensive gets underway, there are fears that Russia's deteriorating military predicament could lead to an escalation in Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats, writes Diane Francis.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Jun 8, 2023

Could Russia be held accountable for the destruction of the Kakhovka dam?

By Danielle Johnson

Initial analysis indicates that Russia deliberately destroyed the Kakhovka dam in what would qualify as one of Moscow's worst war crimes in Ukraine, but holding the Kremlin accountable will prove extremely difficult, writes Danielle Johnson.

Civil Society Conflict

UkraineAlert

Jun 8, 2023

Kakhovka dam collapse threatens Europe’s largest nuclear plant

By Suriya Evans-Pritchard Jayanti

The blowing up of the Kakhovka dam in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine threatens to deprive the nearby Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant of vital water supplies and raises the threat of nuclear disaster, writes Suriya Evans-Pritchard Jayanti.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Jun 6, 2023

Three questions (and expert answers) about the dam collapse in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the broken Nova Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine, including what it means for the ongoing war and if damaging it amounts to a war crime.

Conflict Crisis Management

Experts

Events