Recent analysis

Ashford in The New Arab: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

UkraineAlert Apr 9, 2025

Putin’s Arctic ambitions: Russia eyes natural resources and shipping routes

By Bohdan Ustymenko

Russia’s plans to expand its influence in the Arctic region and dominate the Northern Sea Route together with China pose serious security challenges for the international community, writes Bohdan Ustymenko.
China Conflict
Ashford in The New Arab: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

EnergySource Mar 28, 2025

Nord Stream could divide Europe yet again 

By Michał Kurtyka

Washington’s potential reset with Moscow, amid Ukraine peace negotiations, has revived discussions on the future of Nord Stream 2. Whether the Trump administration would cede its LNG market in Europe to Russian pipeline exports remains to be seen. For Europe, however, reopening the pipeline would be a costly mistake.
Eastern Europe Economy & Business
Ashford in The New Arab: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

MENASource Mar 13, 2025

Why now is the right time for ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran’s oil exports

By Scott Modell

Iran is more vulnerable than it has been in decades; the United States can deliver a decisive blow to Tehran and set the stage for a more stable and secure future.
Defense Policy Economy & Business

Programs

The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

learn more

Events

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

Transforming the power sector in developing countries: Geopolitics, poverty, and climate change in Pakistan

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

As the South and Southeast Asian region faces increasing energy demand due to both population and economic growth, countries like Pakistan must meet that demand while facing and overcoming critical environmental and energy security challenges. How is Pakistan seeking to diversify its energy mix and establish more local and decarbonized power systems, and what are key opportunities for future government and foreign investment?

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

The role of oil and gas companies in the energy transition

By Robert (“RJ”) Johnston, Reed Blakemore, and Randolph Bell

Many oil and gas companies have recognized the need to decarbonize the energy system to avoid the impacts of climate change. Initial industry efforts to play a role in the energy transition show sincerity and promise. Yet the urgent need for more oil and gas production for the foreseeable future suggests that a comprehensive framework for the oil and gas industry to support a low-carbon future while simultaneously ensuring the world has enough energy to meet development and economic growth goals has yet to be fully developed. What role can the oil and gas industry play lead the way to an energy-rich, globally prosperous, low-carbon future?

Energy Transitions Oil and Gas

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

European energy diversification: How alternative sources, routes, and clean technologies can bolster energy security and decarbonization

By Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Irina Markina

The European Union’s efforts to achieve a carbon-neutral economy present a unique and timely opportunity to strengthen European energy security. What is the EU currently doing to meet its decarbonization goals, address the role of natural gas in Europe’s low-carbon future, and explain the potential for new gas sources, alternative gas routes, and clean energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions? And how can this be done while simultaneously increasing European energy security and opportunities for transatlantic cooperation?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
Load More

Content

In the News

Jun 15, 2022

Ashford in The New Arab: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

By Atlantic Council

On June 15, Emma Ashford’s new book, Oil, the State and War, was reviewed in The New Arab. The reviewer wrote, “Oil, the State, and War is a book that helps understand the times we live in. It will be a great addition to the library of both the general reader interested in global affairs […]

Corruption Defense Policy

EnergySource

Jun 14, 2022

Affordability, security, and emissions reductions: The sustainability trilemma

By Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo

OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo offers his thoughts on the need for oil to be a part of the energy transition.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Jun 10, 2022

Kroenig and Ashford debate US policy toward the Persian Gulf

On June 10, Foreign Policy published its biweekly "It's Debatable" column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and NAEI resident senior fellow Emma Ashford. In their latest column, they debate President Biden's shifting policy toward US Gulf partners as Iran works to build the bomb.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Jun 10, 2022

How Nordic wind and wealth can wean Europe off Putin’s gas

By András Simonyi and Morten Svendstorp

Denmark and Norway are uniquely positioned to drive the European hydrogen economy of the future. The two countries' wealth, renewable capacity, and ambition make long-term replacement of Russian gas—and indeed of gas in general—viable.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jun 3, 2022

Lichfield interviewed on BBC’s The World Tonight on the already-evident impact of sanctions on Russia’s economy

Listen to the full interview here.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

In the News

Jun 2, 2022

Shapiro quoted in AP News on increasing relations between Israel-Saudi as US increases US Command in Israel

By Atlantic Council

Israel Oil and Gas

In the News

Jun 2, 2022

Shapiro quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the Saudi oil boost

By Atlantic Council

Oil and Gas Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Azodi quoted in Middle East Eye on Iran’s seizure of oil tankers in retaliation

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Ashford on Background Briefing: The EU will block most Russian oil imports by the end of the year

By Atlantic Council

On June 1, Emma Ashford was featured on “Background Briefing with Ian Masters” regarding the EU oil embargo. Ashford discussed her recent op-ed published in Bloomberg and the Washington Post, “NATO should think twice before accepting Finland and Sweden.” Ashford also shared some findings from her recently published book, Oil, the State, and War: The […]

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Ashford publishes book Oil, the State and War: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

By Atlantic Council

On June 1, Emma Ashford’s book Oil, the State and War: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates was published by Georgetown University Press. The book challenges prevailing understandings of the international implications of oil wealth and shows why it can create bad actors. In a world where oil-rich states are more likely to start war than their oil-dependent counterparts, […]

Corruption Defense Policy
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Mamadou Fall Kane

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Energy & Environment

Fellow

Edward Verona

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Economy & Business

Fellow

Marino Auffant

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Staff

Reed Blakemore

Director, Research and Programs

Global Energy Center

Geopolitics & Energy Security Energy Transitions

Fellow

Agnia Grigas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Energy Markets & Governance

Fellow

Inwook Kim

Nonresident Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Geopolitics & Energy Security
Load More

Events

Public Event Tue, September 23, 2025 • 1:30 pm ET

Atlantic Council Africa Energy Forum
Africa Energy & Environment Oil and Gas