Recent analysis

Pulling east: The gravity of China’s Belt and Road in Eurasian energy

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
Pulling east: The gravity of China’s Belt and Road in Eurasian energy

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
Pulling east: The gravity of China’s Belt and Road in Eurasian energy

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 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
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Content

EnergySource

Oct 23, 2018

Pulling east: The gravity of China’s Belt and Road in Eurasian energy

By Amb. Robert Cekuta

Uncertainties about the global oil market, apprehensions concerning Europe’s reliance on Russian natural gas, and an evolving geopolitical situation in Eurasia call for renewed focus on the Caspian Basin. Engaging the region, however, will be different than in the years following the Soviet Union’s collapse. At the time, the idea in Washington and other capitals […]

Central Asia Europe & Eurasia

EnergySource

Oct 15, 2018

How oil turns antagonists to allies

By Ellen Wald

Oil market dynamics can make for strange bedfellows, as overlapping economic interests can often trump entrenched regional rivalries or bilateral strife. That is not to say that oil markets are not vulnerable to geopolitical events—they are. Probably the most well-known and often cited example of a geopolitical issue to effect oil markets was the 1973 […]

Energy Markets & Governance Iran

Event Recap

Sep 25, 2018

New energy opportunities in Africa

By Africa Center and Global Energy Center

On the margins of the 73rd ordinary session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center and Global Energy Center hosted a half-day conference focusing on new opportunities for development across Africa’s energy sector. The event featured welcoming and introductory remarks by Dr. J. Peter Pham, Atlantic Council vice president and Africa […]

Africa Economy & Business

EnergySource

Sep 24, 2018

Contaminated fuel is poisoning global shipping

By Dr. David Soud, Dr. Ian Ralby, and Rohini Ralby

At least 200 merchant ships around the world have suffered serious, sometimes complete engine failure in recent months. Some of these vessels have been left helplessly adrift in the open sea. Others have run aground. Many have been carrying cargoes—crude oil, fuel, chemicals, containers—that could cause human or environmental catastrophes if the vulnerable ships were […]

Oil and Gas

Report

Sep 17, 2018

Three pipelines and three seas: BRUA, TAP, the IAP and gasification in Southeast Europe

By John M. Roberts

These projects, the BRUA pipeline, the Trans Adriatic pipeline, the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline, the Krk Island FSRU project, and gasification efforts in Southeast Europe, and broader support and financing for such projects is crucial, but there are also challenges in terms of which projects receive priority and how they might complement or compete with one another.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Sep 12, 2018

Beyond the Three Seas: A strategy for extending the 3SI energy security vision to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova

By David Koranyi

Ukraine and Moldova are crucial countries for European energy security and would benefit from enhanced interconnections in all three areas—namely energy.

Oil and Gas

Issue Brief

Sep 12, 2018

Beyond the Three Seas: A strategy for extending the 3SI energy security vision to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova

By David Koranyi

In a new issue brief, “Beyond the Three Seas: A Strategy for Extending the 3SI Energy Security Vision to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova,” Global Energy Center Senior Fellow for Energy Diplomacy David Koranyi outlines the importance of the Three Seas framework for Ukraine and Moldova, and the importance of these countries for the […]

Oil and Gas

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2018

2+2 dialogue offers the United States and India an opportunity

By Bharath Gopalaswamy

New Delhi and Washington remain at odds over the Trump administration’s decision to reimpose sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

Geopolitics & Energy Security India

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2018

What will Merkel decide on Nord Stream 2?

By Agnia Grigas

Given that Russia is known for using energy as a tool of foreign policy, exporting corruption via its business dealings and seeking to fracture the unity of the EU and NATO, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is about much more than gas for both Washington and the European Union.

European Union Eurozone

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2018

A breakthrough in Berlin? Not so fast.

By Jörn Fleck

Moscow’s vocal reaction to the new US sanctions may also signal Putin’s willingness to pursue a renewed dialogue with Germany.

Economic Sanctions Germany
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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
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Events

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

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