Recent analysis

Sanctions or Self-Sabotage? The story of Iran’s oil industry

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

Sanctions or Self-Sabotage? The story of Iran’s oil industry

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

Sanctions or Self-Sabotage? The story of Iran’s oil industry

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

IranSource

Jun 7, 2018

Sanctions or Self-Sabotage? The story of Iran’s oil industry

By Ellen Wald

Following the lifting of international sanctions in January 2016, there was a great deal of optimism for Iran’s oil economy. Even though the global oil industry was a year into a price collapse, many companies were eager to explore investment opportunities in Iran’s neglected oil and gas assets. The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and Iran’s oil […]

Iran Oil and Gas

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jun 7, 2018

Sanctions or self-sabotage? The story of Iran’s oil industry

By Ellen Wald

Following the lifting of international sanctions in January 2016, there was a great deal of optimism for Iran’s oil economy. Even though the global oil industry was a year into a price collapse, many companies were eager to explore investment opportunities in Iran’s neglected oil and gas assets. The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and […]

Energy & Environment Iran

EnergySource

May 16, 2018

The future of oil: An innovator’s perspective

By Randolph Bell

Technology, policy, consumer preference, and price are driving dramatic changes in the energy mix, and the United Arab Emirates is at the forefront of efforts to innovate and diversify. In an interview with Randolph Bell, director of the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center, Musabbeh Al Kaabi, chief executive officer for petroleum and petrochemicals at the […]

Energy Markets & Governance Oil and Gas

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 11, 2018

Is Latin America on target for COP24?

By Global Energy Center

In a new report, Atlantic Council Energy Advisory Group Chairman and Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Senior Fellow David Goldwyn and co-author Andrea Clabough examine the progress Latin American countries, including the Southern Cone countries, Central America, and the Caribbean, have made in working toward their climate goals, with a focus on modernization and improved sustainability […]

Americas Climate Change & Climate Action

EnergySource

Apr 27, 2018

Croatian LNG terminal: Now or never?

By David Koranyi

The planned Croatian liquified natural gas (LNG) import terminal is a critical, if yet unrealized, piece of the Central and Eastern European energy security puzzle. If constructed, the terminal would provide a gateway for LNG to reach landlocked markets in the region, thus creating competition for Russian gas and ensuring access to alternative supplies in […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

EnergySource

Apr 23, 2018

Central America: Building a gas market

By David L. Goldwyn

The Atlantic Council, in partnership with the Department of State’s Energy Resources Bureau (ENR), hosted a premier group of Central American energy ministers, US and Mexican energy policymakers, and private sector representatives for a Central American senior-level natural gas policy and investment roundtable on April 16, 2018. The roundtable featured a candid discussion of how […]

Energy Markets & Governance Latin America

EnergySource

Apr 12, 2018

Prospects for a “Henry Hub” in the European Union

By Branko Terzic

The Henry Hub in North America is the most successful natural gas market in the world. Its success has stimulated discussions in other natural gas markets about the creation of new natural gas hubs to emulate Henry Hub’s operations. The question is: how can countries who want to create a hub in theory actually establish […]

Energy Markets & Governance European Union

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 11, 2018

Oil and fuel theft in the maritime domain

By Global Energy Center

In their new report, Oil on the Water: Illicit hydrocarbons activity in the maritime domain, Global Energy Center Senior Fellow Dr. Ian Ralby and co-author Dr. David Soud of I.R. Consilium present an extensive though not exhaustive breakdown of the global illegal activity involving oil and fuel in the maritime domain, together with recommendations for how […]

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

Report

Apr 10, 2018

Oil on the water: Illicit hydrocarbons activity in the maritime domain

By Dr. Ian Ralby and Dr. David Soud

Oil and fuel theft is a significant global phenomenon, accounting for tens, if not hundreds, of billions of dollars annually. It typically takes place in the maritime domain, as oil tankers account for a fourth of global trade and law enforcement control over maritime spaces is often lacking.

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

EnergySource

Apr 5, 2018

Energy communities in transition: Central California and Eastern Kentucky

By David Livingston and Kayla Soren

Note: This blog is the first in a series examining the global energy transition through the lens of communities with a significant stake in the traditional energy economy. In examining the social, political, and economic dynamics, policy choices that are made or missed, and the approaches that seem most promising and scalable, there is the […]

Energy Transitions 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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Events

Public Event Thu, December 19, 2019 • 2:00 pm ET

The future of Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream: The impact of sanctions legislation
Economic Sanctions Europe & Eurasia Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas
Public Event Fri, July 10, 2020 • 1:30 pm ET

EnergySource Innovation Stream: Artificial intelligence-based cybersecurity for remote critical infrastructure in the energy industry
Energy & Environment Oil and Gas
Online Event Wed, August 4, 2021 • 8:30 am ET

Turkey-Israel relations in a changing geopolitical landscape
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Israel Middle East
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