Recent analysis

Energy experts discuss the role of natural gas in Africa’s energy future

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
Energy experts discuss the role of natural gas in Africa’s energy future

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
Energy experts discuss the role of natural gas in Africa’s energy future

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

Mar 20, 2017

Downstream oil theft: Implications and next steps

By Dr. Ian M. Ralby

On January 13, 2017, the Atlantic Council launched a major study on downstream oil theft at its inaugural Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Downstream Oil Theft: Implications and Next Steps draws on the launch event to examine the implications of the study’s findings and to suggest tangible next steps in both further investigating this global scourge and beginning to confront it effectively.

Energy & Environment
Oil and Gas

Global Energy Forum

Jan 6, 2017

Downstream oil theft: Global modalities, trends, and remedies

By Ian M. Ralby

Hydrocarbons crime, in all its forms, has become a significant threat not only to local and regional prosperity but also to global stability and security. Combating this pervasive criminal activity is made only more difficult by the reality that many of those in a position to curb hydrocarbons crime are the ones benefiting from it.

Energy & Environment
Oil and Gas

Event Recap

Jun 15, 2016

US Launch: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2016

By Yigit Erkut

On Wednesday, June 15, 2016, the Atlantic Council hosted the U.S launch of the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2016 with Spencer Dale, Group Chief Economist for BP. Global energy markets have entered a period of accelerating volatility. The US shale revolution has upended global oil and gas markets. Alternative energy sources are bourgeoning, […]

Energy & Environment
Oil and Gas
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Content

Event Recap

Nov 29, 2018

Energy experts discuss the role of natural gas in Africa’s energy future

By Africa Center and Global Energy Center

In partnership with the Energy Futures Initiative, the Atlantic Council’s Africa and Global Energy Centers hosted a discussion on November 29 on the role of natural gas in Africa’s energy future, occasioned by the release of Africa50’s new report: Investing in Natural Gas for Africans: Doing Good and Doing Well. The event featured welcoming remarks […]

Africa
Economy & Business

Event Recap

Nov 27, 2018

Iran sanctions, OPEC and Trump: where are oil markets moving?

By Ellen R. Wald

On Tuesday, November 27, in Istanbul, the Atlantic Council IN TURKEY hosted Atlantic Council Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ellen R. Wald for a talk entitled “Iran Sanctions, OPEC and Trump: Where Are Oil Markets Moving?” to a roundtable that featured a discussion about the likely impact of the new U.S. sanctions on Iran and […]

Energy Markets & Governance
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Nov 5, 2018

Global Energy Center experts weigh in on Iran sanctions

By Global Energy Center

At 11:59 p.m. ET on November 4, the remaining sanctions on Iran’s energy, ship building, shipping, and banking sectors that had been lifted or waived under the JCPOA came back into full effect. Iran’s oil exports and revenue are a major part of the administration’s strategy to spur change in Iran on the part of […]

Americas
Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Oct 24, 2018

Russia-Iran economic deal: Sanctions relief or political game?

By Sara Bazoobandi

In May, the US government announced it would unilaterally withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and re-impose the sanctions previously lifted or waived. While the re-imposition of sanctions is certainly not welcomed by Iran, it is also nothing new. Iran has long struggled with various economic sanctions and the Iranian economy has […]

Energy & Environment
Energy Markets & Governance

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
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Experts

Fellow

Neil Ford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Energy & Environment

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
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