Recent analysis

Iran oil exports face a tough future even after the coronavirus

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
Iran oil exports face a tough future even after the coronavirus

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
Iran oil exports face a tough future even after the coronavirus

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.

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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
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Content

IranSource

Jun 3, 2020

Iran oil exports face a tough future even after the coronavirus

By Omid Shokri Kalehsar

Even before the coronavirus pandemic erupted, Iran’s oil exports were declining as a result of secondary US sanctions.

Energy & Environment Iran

Long Take

May 27, 2020

The Russian economy in health, oil, and economic crisis

By Anders Åslund

Russia’s response to the COVID-19 epidemic and the ensuing economic crisis does not impress. Arguably, it has hardly been worse than the average EU response—except for the Central European countries, where the pandemic arrived late and who protected themselves much better. The Russian authorities’ attempts to deny and conceal the epidemic have undermined popular trust in Putin, which is lower than ever. Nor have the authorities shown any sign of restart long dormant reforms.

Coronavirus Economy & Business

TURKEYSource

May 7, 2020

How Turkey benefits from global LNG glut

By Eser Özdil

While Turkey’s gas supply security is enhanced, the domestic market benefits from the increasing competition in the global gas market. With LNG, Turkey can further diversify its gas supply sources and the state-owned gas company, BOTAS, can decrease the weighted average cost of imported gas.

Oil and Gas Turkey

In the News

May 4, 2020

Fontenrose joins NPR’s Morning Edition to discuss Saudi oil tankers headed toward US

By Atlantic Council

Oil and Gas Saudi Arabia

In the News

Apr 30, 2020

Blakemore quoted in Al Jazeera on oil price crisis and US-Saudi relations

By Atlantic Council

Oil and Gas Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 29, 2020

Cohen in Forbes: Oil Prices May Recover Before 2021

By Atlantic Council

Europe & Eurasia Oil and Gas

In the News

Apr 29, 2020

Carpenter in The Washington Post: Putin has just made two huge mistakes, and his timing couldn’t be worse

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Economy & Business

In the News

Apr 24, 2020

Slavin joins Al-Jazeera (Arabic) to discuss US oil policy and US-Iran relations

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Iran

In the News

Apr 22, 2020

Herbst and Debra Cagan in The American Interest: How the oil shock will contain Putin

By Atlantic Council

Russia’s foreign policy has always been closely tied to the price of its primary export—energy. With oil prices hitting record lows, can the country afford Vladimir Putin’s foreign adventures? Eurasia Center Director John Herbst joined Debra Cagan, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense, to write an op-ed arguing that plunging oil prices will constrain […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

New Atlanticist

Apr 21, 2020

As US crude prices crumble, a difficult hand for the United States

By Reed Blakemore and John Soughan

As the market digests the final surge of oil from a Saudi-Russian price war prior to the implementation of production cuts on May 1, it may be that the tail end of a brutal supply glut has arrived and corresponding price stabilization—albeit at a very low price—will be soon to follow. But with oil demand projections reaching multi-decade lows, and US inventories continuing to build by record levels, the madness on April 20 suggests that US markets are far from out of the woods, putting policymakers and regulators in a tough position.

Energy Markets & Governance Oil and Gas
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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
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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. 
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