Recent analysis

Kroenig and Ashford debate US policy toward the Persian Gulf

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
Kroenig and Ashford debate US policy toward the Persian Gulf

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
Kroenig and Ashford debate US policy toward the Persian Gulf

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 11, 2020

Climate commitments needed to head off threats of volatility and instability

By Adal Mirza

A widening gap between perceptions and reality of the global energy markets could increase volatility as governments, policy makers, and industries struggle to tackle climate change, according to Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

International grid integration: Efficiencies, vulnerabilities, and strategic implications in Asia

By Phillip Cornell

In order to meet growing global demand for electricity, and in response to an increase in renewables, power networks and markets are evolving and becoming increasingly interconnected. South and Southeast Asia have already had some success with interconnections, and China’s vision and Belt and Road Initiative loom large in the region, but there are geopolitical concerns to contend with. Could a US model manage these concerns? What is the state of regional power markets in Asia and investment in regional grid infrastructure, and what responses are we already seeing to emerging trends?

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

Energy sector diversification: Meeting demographic challenges in the MENA region

By Bina Hussein

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is projected to experience significant demographic growth by 2050, growth which will have to be met with commensurate economic expansion and job opportunities, or the region will risk an increase in political instability. To meet this challenge, countries in the region must diversify their economies beyond the energy sector and expand their energy sector beyond hydrocarbons. What are the key trends that MENA countries will have to contend with, what is already being done, and what further steps should be taken?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
Load More

Content

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.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

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

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Badi quoted in Al-Monitor on why Libya has responded to rising food prices with oil plant blockades

By Atlantic Council

Libya Oil and Gas

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

By Atlantic Council

On June 1, Emma Ashford was interviewed on BBC Newsnight about Ukraine and the EU oil embargo. More about our expert

Economy & Business Energy & Environment
Load More

Experts

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

Neil Ford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Energy & Environment

Fellow

Agnia Grigas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Energy Markets & Governance

Fellow

Mamadou Fall Kane

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Energy & Environment

Fellow

Inwook Kim

Nonresident Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Geopolitics & Energy Security
Load More

Events

Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals