Podcasts about global energy policy

For years, the energy transition was discussed as a shift that would happen in steady, predictable increments. But a massive surge in electricity demand in recent years—now colliding with a fracturing geopolitical landscape—has reshaped the global race for clean, reliable power.   All this has pulled nuclear energy back to the center of the national conversation—with many policymakers from both sides of the aisle calling for a nuclear renaissance. But past multi-billion dollar cost overruns on traditional gigawatt-scale projects still hang over the sector, even as a novel pipeline of small modular reactors and other advanced nuclear technologies promise to reshape the grid. This has put renewed attention on whether the US regulatory system is ready for the scale and speed of what's needed.   So what reforms are key to supporting the US nuclear energy sector? What needs to be done to ensure speed, safety, and predictability? And where do policymakers need to be careful to preserve the credibility, independence, and public trust that make nuclear regulation durable over the long term?   Today on the show, Jason Bordoff speaks with Ashley Finan and Amy Roma about the growing nuclear industry and evolving landscape of nuclear regulation.   Ashley is the Jay and Jill Bernstein fellow here at the Center on Global Energy Policy and previously served in senior leadership roles at Idaho National Laboratory, where she worked on nuclear energy and national security issues.   Amy is a partner at the law firm Orrick, where she advises clients on legal, business, and policy matters related to the existing nuclear fleet, as well as advanced reactors, fusion facilities, and supporting nuclear infrastructure. She is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.

The U.S. is rapidly reshaping its trade and industrial policies to build new critical mineral supply chains as part of a broader effort to reduce the country's dependence on China for these strategic resources. So far, however, most of Washington's deals have focused primarily on securing access to raw materials such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earths. That alone may not be enough to compete with China, which has spent decades investing hundreds of billions of dollars in the infrastructure, processing capacity, and skilled workforce needed to build resilient supply chains. Zainab Usman, senior research scholar and managing director of international programs at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, recently published a new paper examining how the U.S. is adapting its trade policies to strengthen its critical minerals strategy. She joins Eric and Géraud from Washington to discuss whether these efforts can realistically help the United States narrow the gap with China.

Despite all the advancements we have achieved globally in recent decades, as many as 750 million people still lack access to electricity. Tackling energy poverty requires far more than linking communities to an electric grid. Closing the massive disparity in opportunity for people around the world will require building energy abundance, not just access. Energy is prosperity, and one way to measure it is by the Modern Energy Minimum. Developed by the Energy for Growth Hub, this benchmark posits that a truly modern life requires at least 1,000 kilowatt-hours per person, per year—10 to 20 times the amount typically used to define electricity access.  Here at the Center on Global Energy Policy we're partnering with the Rockefeller Foundation to launch a High-Level Panel on Universal Energy Abundance. The panel is dedicated to providing decision-makers with the insights needed to drive industrialization, job creation, and broad-based prosperity across emerging economies.  So how can we develop and invest in energy infrastructure globally in a way that supports prosperity? What role should governments play? Do the right tools to improve access exist? And how do we navigate the tension between energy growth and climate policy?  Today on the show, Jason speaks with Katie Auth about energy's role in driving lasting economic change and why the modern energy minimum model could produce a meaningfully better standard of living in developing economies. Katie is the deputy executive director at the Energy for Growth Hub, which works to end poverty through sustainable development and climate resilience. She's also a non-resident fellow on US-Africa relations at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a member of the Economic Advisory Council for the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation. Previously, she spent seven years at the U.S. Agency for International Development, including as senior development finance advisor and acting deputy coordinator of Power Africa. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.  

All eyes are currently on the Gulf due to the US–Israel conflict with Iran and the disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. In this two-part series, the Climate Briefing co-hosts and their guests take a deep dive into the region, which plays a crucial role in the global supply of oil and gas. The first part of the series (released on 21 April) delved into the history of the region, addressing questions such as: How did the Gulf countries become such dominant fossil fuel exporters? What has this dominance meant for their geopolitical influence? And what role have oil and gas played in conflicts and coups in the region? Part 2 focuses on how the countries around the Gulf are approaching — and may be impacted by — the energy transition. It also explores the implications that the US–Israel–Iran conflict could have for the region in the medium to long term. To discuss these issues, Anna and Bhargabi are joined by Robin Mills (CEO of Qamar Energy and Non-Resident Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University), Dr Neil Quilliam (Associate Fellow with Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme and Partner at Azure Strategy), and Jessica Obeid (Founding Partner at New Energy Consult and Board Advisor to various energy and policy institutions).

he Strait of Hormuz has been closed for months. Yet oil is trading — at least as of late Tuesday — at under $110 a barrel. Why haven't the markets responded more to the biggest supply disruption of all time? Is it a credit to President Trump, and does it give us any clues to how future presidents should handle other energy crises?On the latest episode of Shift Key, Rob talks with Jason Bordoff, the founding director of the Center for Global Energy Policy at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. He's also a co-founding dean of the Columbia Climate School. He was previously a special assistant to President Obama and the senior director for energy and climate change at the White House National Security Council. Rob and Jason discuss whether this crisis will permanently alter the global energy system, what a new climate and energy consensus might look like, and whether Democrats should talk about climate politics.Shift Key is hosted by Robinson Meyer, the founding executive editor of Heatmap News.You can find a full transcript of the episode here.Mentioned:The Iran Shock — And the Dangerous Allure of Energy Autarky, by Jason Bordoff and Meghan O'SullivanJason's initial response to the Iran War: How the Iran War Could Consolidate China's Energy DominanceFrom Heatmap: The Future of Climate Tech Can Be Found in China's Five-Year PlanJason's argument that energy independence may be making the U.S. more aggressiveMatthew Huber's New York Times op-ed: Democrats Don't Have to Campaign on Climate Change Anymore--This episode of Shift Key is sponsored by ...Heatmap Pro brings all of our research, reporting, and insights down to the local level. The software platform tracks all local opposition to clean energy and data centers, forecasts community sentiment, and guides data-driven engagement campaigns. Book a demo today to see the premier intelligence platform for project permitting and community engagement.Music for Shift Key is by Adam Kromelow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In moments of geopolitical crisis, energy is never just a backdrop. It's often at the center of the story. Today, as conflict involving Iran sends shockwaves through global oil markets and raises fears of supply disruptions, the stakes for policymakers in Washington couldn't be higher.  Prices are rising, risks are multiplying. And as we've seen in recent weeks, there are no easy solutions when energy and national security collide. So what does effective decision-making look like inside the White House at times like these? Today on the show, to help answer that question, Bill Loveless speaks with Bob McNally and Jason Bordoff. Both of them served as energy advisors during past US administrations. They joined Bill to reflect on what they learned about navigating energy crises from inside the White House. Bob McNally is the founder and president of Rapidan Energy Group, an independent energy consulting and market advisory firm. From 2001 to 2003 he served on the White House National Economic Council as special assistant to President George W. Bush. And in 2003, he was the senior director for international energy on the National Security Council. His 2017 book, Crude Volatility: The History and the Future of Boom Bust Oil Prices, examines the history of oil price swings.  Jason Bordoff is Columbia Energy Exchange co-host and the founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, where he is a professor of professional practice. He is also on the faculty of the Columbia Climate School where he is co-founding dean emeritus. He previously served as special assistant to President Barack Obama and senior director for energy and climate change on the staff of the National Security Council. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.  

Episode 64 is with Dr. Julio Friedmann, Chief Scientist at Carbon DirectIn this episode, Na'im speaks with Dr. Julio Friedmann about Carbon Direct's recent publication “ 5 Pillars of Successful Project Deployment and Delivery” on what the carbon dioxide removal industry needs to de-risk projects in order to attract new buyers and to stand up infrastructure-scale carbon removal projects.In this episode, Na'im and Julio discuss:* How CDR 1.0 built markets* What buyers today really want* Overview of Five Pillars Carbon Direct outlined* Why project assurance matter* The bottleneck project management talents* Industry-led standard setting* Basics of bankable offtake agreementsRelevant Links:* CDR 2.0: Five Pillars of Successful Project Deployment and Delivery - Report* 2026 State of the Voluntary Carbon Market - Report* 2026 State of the Voluntary Carbon Market - Webinar* Carbon Direct - Website* Advance Carbon Removal Coalition - Website* Quebec Surficial Mineralization HubAbout Dr. Julio Friedmann:  Julio is Chief scientist at Carbon Direct. He works directly with clients, the science team, and the leadership of Carbon Direct to solve major technical challenges around carbon management and CO2 removal, making clean power in products and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.Dr. Friedmann is one of the most widely known and authoritative experts in the US on carbon dioxide removal, CO2 conversion, and hydrogen industrial decarbonization and carbon capture and sequestration. He recently served as principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Fossil Energy at the Department of Energy, where he was responsible for doe's r and d program in advanced fossil energy systems, carbon capture and storage, CO2 utilization, and CO2 removal.More recently, he was a senior research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia. He has held positions at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, including Chief Energy Technologist.About Carbon Direct: Carbon Direct is a trusted energy and climate solutions company that combines world-class scientific expertise, technical rigor, and market insights to help clients achieve their business goals. Carbon Direct 70 plus scientists work closely with their finance policy and market experts to design diligence and deliver decarbonization solutions across industries. From JP Morgan Chase to Microsoft. Carbon Direct helps leading companies with carbon dioxide removal, carbon measurement from clean power opportunities and low carbon energy solutions.This episode was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Consecon Foundation.This episode was created and published by Na'im Merchant. Episode production and content support provided by Tank Chen.Na'im Merchant is the co-founder and Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada, a policy initiative focused on scaling carbon removal in Canada. He is on the advisory board of the Carbon Removal Standards Initiative and Terraset, and a former policy fellow with Elemental Impact. He previously ran carbon removal consulting practice Carbon Curve, and publishes The Carbon Curve newsletter and podcast. Every two weeks, Na'im will release a short interview with individuals advancing the policies, technologies, and collective action needed to scale up carbon removal around the world.Tank Chen is the Head of Content and Community at CDR.fyi, a public benefit corporation dedicated to accelerating carbon removal through transparency. He is also the co-founder of CDRjobs, a career platform for the carbon removal industry. Based in Taiwan, Tank is a carbon removal advocate focused on educating policymakers, corporate leaders, and the public on the importance of carbon removal, using data-driven insights to support communication and policy advocacy.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app or subscribe via The Carbon Curve newsletter here. If you'd like to get in touch with Na'im, you can reach out via LinkedIn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carboncurve.substack.com

During the first weeks of the war in Iran, most analysis focused on the immediate energy shock it triggered. But Jason Bordoff, founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy and Columbia Energy Exchange host, and Meghan O'Sullivan, director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University's Kennedy School, got together to think about the longer-term implications of the conflict.  Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs published the result of that work, an article titled "The Iran Shock, And the Dangerous Allure of Energy Autarky." Last week, Jason sat down with Robin Pomeroy, host of the World Economic Forum podcast, Radio Davos, to talk about the article and the global and likely lasting impacts of the current energy shock. Today, we're pleased to bring you their conversation originally published by Radio Davos. (Unfortunately, Meghan fell ill and was unable to join the podcast.) Robin and Jason discussed how the largest oil supply disruption that the world has ever seen is impacting energy security in the near term, but also how it's likely to change the future of the energy industry. Our thanks to Robin and the World Economic Forum for collaborating on this episode.  

"This is the largest oil supply disruption the world has ever seen." Jason Bordoff of the Center on Global Energy Policy and the Columbia Energy Exchange podcast joins us to explore the potential long-term impacts on global energy systems of the oil shock caused by the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The episode, recorded a few days before the news that the UAE was quitting OPEC, was made in collaboration with the Columbia Energy Exchange podcast: https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/series/columbia-energy-exchange/ Links: Columbia Energy Exchange podcast: https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/series/columbia-energy-exchange/ The Iran Shock And the Dangerous Allure of Energy Autarky (Foreign Policy): https://www.foreignaffairs.com/iran/iran-shock Energy independence could make America more aggressive (Financial Times): https://www.ft.com/content/2c2c6f08-d5c0-41e5-ab0c-1605dba64582?shareType=nongift Energy Transition Index (World Economic Forum), available from 17 June, 2026: wef.ch/ETI26 What leaders are saying about the renewed geopolitics of energy (World Economic Forum): https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/04/geopolitics-of-energy-what-leaders-are-saying/ 3 lessons on the energy transition in an age of crisis (World Economic Forum): https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/04/3-lessons-energy-transition-age-of-crisis/ World Economic Forum Centre for Energy and Materials: https://centres.weforum.org/centre-for-energy-and-materials/ Related podcasts: The rise of industrial policy - why governments are back in the business of business: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/industrial-policy-trade-choke-points/ Welcome to Cold War Two: historian Niall Ferguson on geopolitics in 2026: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/niall-ferguson-geopolitics-cold-war/ "Everything has changed" - Gita Gopinath on the global economy in 2026: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/gita-gopinath-global-economy-2026/ Are we on track for the energy transition? Insights from three CEOs: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/energy-transition-electrification-siemens-aes-envision/ Climate science is clearer than ever. How should companies respond?: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/climate-science-policy-business-response/ Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:  YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552    

The global order that shaped the past several decades is giving way to a more fragmented and uncertain world. Long-standing alliances are under strain, economic integration is giving way to competition, and geopolitical risk is once again a central driver of markets and policy. These shifts are not abstract. They are reshaping trade flows, disrupting supply chains, and contributing to volatility in energy markets and the broader economy—affecting everything from fuel prices to the cost of goods. So, how might great power competition, geopolitical fragmentation, artificial intelligence, and global instability redefine the international landscape? And what will that mean for policymakers, businesses, and the global energy system? This week's episode features a fireside chat between Jason Bordoff and Ian Bremmer from the Columbia Global Energy Summit 2026, which was hosted by the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA and recorded earlier today. Jason and Ian examine the Iran crisis, the Islamabad talks, and the shifting dynamics of the Gulf region. They also address the "myth" of sovereign AI, China's strategy, and the deep structural concerns of global CEOs navigating today's volatility. Ian Bremmer is the president and founder of Eurasia Group, a geopolitical risk advisory firm, and GZERO Media, a digital media company providing coverage of international affairs. He is the author of eleven books, including his latest work, The Power of Crisis: How Three Threats—and Our Response—Will Change the World. Ian also teaches at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.

Former NSC Director for Iran Richard Nephew returns to NatSec Matters to discuss the tactical and economic shifts in the Mideast conflict. Richard, a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, gives Michael a candid assessment of the military campaign so far, highlighting the sophistication of allied coordination while questioning whether U.S. tactics are translating into long-term strategic success. Richard also discusses the outlook for the current ceasefire and evaluates what concessions Washington might allow Tehran in order to cut a deal.

For the past few years, Microsoft has basically carried the carbon removal industry on its shoulders. The software company has purchased 72 million tons of carbon removal, more than 40 times what any other organization has financed, according to third-party sources.Now it's pulling back. As we reported last week, Microsoft has told suppliers and partners that it's pausing new purchases. Though the company says that its program “has not ended,” even a temporary pullback will have significant implications for the nascent carbon removal industry. What happens next for these companies? And is a bloodbath on the way? On this week's episode of Shift Key, Rob speaks to Jack Andreasen Cavanaugh from Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy about Microsoft's singular importance and what could come next.Shift Key is hosted by Robinson Meyer, the founding executive editor of Heatmap News.You can find a full transcript of the episode here.Mentioned:Our initial Friday story: Microsoft Is Pausing Carbon Removal PurchasesJack's take: The Private Sector Built the Market, Time for Us to Scale ItHeatmap's Emily Pontecorvo on Ctrl-S, the startup trying to save CDR intellectual property--This episode of Shift Key is sponsored by ...Lunar Energy is building the technology to turn homes into active participants in the power system. Learn more about Lunar's vision of the future at lunarenergy.com.Music for Shift Key is by Adam Kromelow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Energy abundance means different things in today's global context than it did even a decade ago. It is about expanding electricity access while meeting rising energy demand. It is about navigating geopolitical fragmentation, limited government support, shifting development priorities, and leveraging new technologies to deliver reliable power at scale. But the challenge is not just technological. It is institutional and financial. Many low- and middle-income countries face high capital costs, limited access to financing, and policy frameworks that struggle to keep pace with growing demand.  Solving this challenge is a priority for both the Center on Global Energy Policy and the Rockefeller Foundation, which together have launched a new high-level panel to advance universal energy abundance. This initiative positions reliable, affordable energy as a cornerstone of economic growth, industrialization, and opportunity in emerging and developing economies.  So what does it take to move from energy scarcity and toward energy abundance? Can international institutions, governments, and investors come together to mobilize the scale of investment required? And how can emerging economies balance the urgency of expanding energy access with the need for affordability, reliability, and sustainability? Today on the show, Jason Bordoff speaks with Rajiv Shah, president of The Rockefeller Foundation, about the high-level panel on universal energy abundance and its goals. Rajiv leads The Rockefeller Foundation's mission to promote the well-being of humanity by ending energy poverty for more than a billion people, ensuring universal access to food, and strengthening health systems. During the Obama administration, he led the US Agency for International Development as its administrator. He also served on the National Security Council, where he elevated the role of development as part of a bipartisan foreign policy. Earlier in his career, Rajiv developed programs to address climate change and global food security at the US Department of Agriculture and held leadership roles at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, Alice Manos, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.  

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally reshaped its energy sector, with oil and gas exports diverted from Europe to Asia while soaring military spending strains the state budget. The war has stalled Russia's decarbonization plans and reduced investment in cleaner energy projects. But with climate change impacts increasingly visible across Russia's vast territory, the question looms: How will Moscow adapt its energy infrastructure? And what potential exists if the government shifts priorities toward energy adaptation? In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte and Rosemary Griffin, managing editor at Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, examine how geopolitical conflict and climate realities are creating a crossroads moment for one of the world's largest energy producers. First, Tatiana Mitrova, fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, explains how the war in Ukraine is affecting Russia's energy strategy and why the country's enormous renewable energy potential remains largely untapped. The conversation then turns to Eoin Quill, researcher at Climate Analytics, who puts Russia's greenhouse gas emissions in global context, examines its role as a carbon sink, and explores how the rapidly warming Arctic could alter the country's energy infrastructure and export capabilities.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally reshaped its energy sector, with oil and gas exports diverted from Europe to Asia while soaring military spending strains the state budget. The war has stalled Russia's decarbonization plans and reduced investment in cleaner energy projects. But with climate change impacts increasingly visible across Russia's vast territory, the question looms: How will Moscow adapt its energy infrastructure? And what potential exists if the government shifts priorities toward energy adaptation? In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte and Rosemary Griffin, managing editor at Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, examine how geopolitical conflict and climate realities are creating a crossroads moment for one of the world's largest energy producers. First, Tatiana Mitrova, fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, explains how the war in Ukraine is affecting Russia's energy strategy and why the country's enormous renewable energy potential remains largely untapped. The conversation then turns to Eoin Quill, researcher at Climate Analytics, who puts Russia's greenhouse gas emissions in global context, examines its role as a carbon sink, and explores how the rapidly warming Arctic could alter the country's energy infrastructure and export capabilities.

After President Trump announced that the US would blockade the Strait of Hormuz, Fareed asks retired Admiral James Stavridis, the former NATO supreme allied commander, what it would take to execute it. Next, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken joins the show for an exclusive conversation about his own experience negotiating with Iran. Then, since the beginning of the conflict, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes against Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and others. Fareed speaks with Tarek Masoud, director of Harvard Kennedy School's Middle East Initiative about how this has impacted the relationship between the United States and its allies in the Gulf. Finally, Karen Young, senior fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, joins the show to discuss the potential impact on global energy prices if President Trump moves to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. GUESTS: James Stavridis (@stavridisj), Antony Blinken (@ABlinken), Tarek Masoud (@MiddleEast_HKS), Karen Young (@ProfessorKaren) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode, Dan is joined by Richard Nephew: Senior Research Scholar at the Center for Global Energy Policy at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, former Deputy Special Envoy for Iran, and leading expert on Iran's nuclear program. They discuss the ceasefire deal with Iran and President Trump, posing the questions: are we in a better place today than we were with the deal Obama had signed? How does this potentially resolve itself? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Even with this shaky ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, some warn the energy infrastructure in the Middle East will take months to recover, and prices may not drop as much as hoped. William Brangham discussed more with Jason Bordoff, the founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

While US and Israeli forces have significantly degraded Iran's military and nuclear capability, the global energy landscape remains in a precarious position. For weeks, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut to tanker traffic, causing physical markets to tighten and rationing to spread across Asia. With the US considering an "off-ramp" to declare victory, the world faces a critical dilemma: can the global economy survive a peace that leaves Iran in control of the world's most vital maritime chokepoint? In this episode of the Iran Conflict Brief, host Daniel Sternoff speaks with Robin Mills to provide a view from the ground in Dubai. They discuss the reality of living under frequent drone and missile alerts, the "tit-for-tat" targeting of industrial infrastructure, and what it would take to reopen the Gulf. They also explore the long-term threat to the GCC's economic diversification models and the potential multi-year recovery timeline for regional LNG production. Robin Mills is a Dubai-based non-resident fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy and the CEO of Qamar Energy. With over two decades of experience in the Middle East, including roles at Shell and the Emirates National Oil Company, Robin is a leading authority on regional oil and gas business development and the author of The Myth of the Oil Crisis. Credits: Hosted by Daniel Sternoff. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.

Today we greatly enjoyed hosting Dr. Tatiana Mitrova, Global Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy, Director of the New Energy Advancement Hub, and Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. Tatiana is an expert in energy systems, geopolitics, energy markets, and institutional decision-making, with particular emphasis on structural constraints, resilience, and risk. Born in Russia and now based in Cyprus, she brings a valuable perspective to the current turbulence involving Russia, Ukraine, Iran, and the broader global energy system. In our conversation, we explore how the Russia-Ukraine war has evolved into a form of energy warfare, with drone attacks and other strikes increasingly targeting refineries, export terminals, pipelines, and broader energy infrastructure, forcing Russia's energy sector to shift from traditional energy security toward physical asset defense. We cover the interaction between the Ukraine war and the Iran conflict, particularly how higher oil prices, tighter global supply, and diverted U.S. attention are giving Russia additional strategic and financial breathing room, even as attacks on infrastructure create export constraints. Tatiana explains that the more realistic risk for Russia is not near-term collapse but gradual degradation, as the Kremlin continues to prioritize war spending over civilian welfare and relies on oil revenues, reserves, and social insulation to sustain the system. She also outlines why territorial gains in Ukraine remain essential to Putin's domestic legitimacy, making a negotiated settlement far more difficult. We discuss the likely Russian summer offensive, Ukraine's growing effectiveness in drone warfare, and the increasing vulnerability of Russian energy infrastructure. Tatiana walks through the domestic backdrop inside Russia, including war fatigue without viable opposition, a population shaped by a strong “fortress Russia” narrative, and a growing divide between insulated urban populations and regions bearing the human cost of the war. We touch on Russia's longer-term positioning, including the ongoing pivot of energy exports away from Europe and toward China and India, the pricing and dependency risks embedded in that shift, and why Russia views the Iran conflict opportunistically rather than ideologically. She also explains how she thinks about the broader U.S.-China-Russia power dynamic, in which energy flows remain a central lever. We close by covering the longer-term social and economic consequences of the war inside Russia, including the implications of large-scale mobilization, reintegration challenges for returning soldiers, and the reality that the full costs of this conflict are likely to unfold over a decade or more rather than in the immediate term. For additional reading, Tatiana's article, “Russia's Hormuz Dividend: Revenue, Leverage, and Limits,” is linked here. Another recent article, “How the Iran War Is Changing Europe's Energy Transition,” is linked here. It was an insightful discussion, and we can't thank Tatiana enough for sharing her time and thoughts with us. Mike Bradley started the show by noting that U.S. equity markets were up 1.5% to 2.0% on the day, while the 10-year U.S. government bond yield was modestly lower and global oil prices were higher (Brent up ~$6/bbl and WTI up ~$2/bbl). He highlighted that the Iran war has entered its second month, provided a handful of monthly energy and equity market performance statistics, and noted that there still appears to be a real disconnect in oil markets (“physical” versus “financial/paper”) and between oil markets (up 55% to 65%) and U.S. equity markets (down ~7%).

"What I knew about Carbon Credits having watched them for many years is that they're not always what they seem...So, Calyx Global was founded in 2021 to help companies navigate the space, to really understand….(i)t's a promise that somebody has reduced methane in that landfill or planted some trees thousands of miles away. So that's what Calyx Global is, we're a Carbon Credit Ratings Agency. But really what we're doing is, for every one of these assets, helping buyers understand what's underneath that, what the quality of that asset is.  Donna Lee on Electric Ladies Podcast  You've probably heard the words "carbon credits" banted about. But what are they exactly and how do they work?   Listen to Donna Lee, CEO & Cofounder of Calyx Global (and former climate policy negotiator at the UN and U.S. State Dept.) in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. You'll hear about: ●        What carbon credits are, how they're measured and verified, because they are not all equal. ●        Where policies and regulations provide stability (or uncertainty) ●        Why companies buy and trade carbon credits – the business case. ●        Plus, career advice, such as: "One is, follow your passion always. If you are passionate about making a difference, find a job where you make a difference. Don't settle for less and you will succeed more if you feel really strongly and you love what you're doing…The other thing, just being sort of a woman in late career and only maybe in some ways only finding my footing now as a co-founder is, don't underestimate your abilities….What's more important, competence or confidence? It is both in equal measure. Women always underestimate their abilities, right? Men always overestimate and women always underestimate. And so women double down on confidence…You can be authentic and confident and don't undersell yourself… Lean in on the things that come naturally to you." Donna Lee on Electric Ladies Podcast Subscribe to our newsletter and Join the waitlist for our new Membership Group here and read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: ·      Carbon Accounting 101: with Alyssa Zucker, Senior Industry Principal in Carbon at Workiva – aka The Carbon Lady ·       Carbon Credits 101: with Lucy Hargreaves at Patch (now at Build Canada) ·       How to Get To Carbon Zero, with Melissa Lott, Ph.D. at Columbia University Center for Global Energy Policy featured in the "Chasing Carbon Zero" documentary. ·       A Biography of Carbon: with documentary filmmaker, writer and producer, Danielle Ortega of the Australian Film Commission on her extraordinary film "Carbon: An Unauthorized Biography ·       Using Captured Carbon To Make Energy: with Bjork Kristjansdottir, of Carbon Recycling International Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

On February 28th, the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on multiple sites in Iran, marking the beginning of a wider military conflict with Iran. Tehran responded with attacks on Israel, US military bases, and US allies across the Middle East and closed the Strait of Hormuz. These events have caused a major disruption in the global supply of oil and gas. China, as the world's largest energy importer, is exposed to these disruptions, but its long-term energy security strategy has left it better prepared than most.  How has China approached energy security, and how might the current conflict reshape this strategy? To discuss these issues, we are joined today by Dr. Erica Downs. Erica is a Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Her research focuses on Chinese energy markets and geopolitics, and she has published extensively on the subject. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction  [01:38] China's Energy Security Strategy [03:54] Divergent Approaches to Energy Security in the US and China [06:03] Beijing's Response to Supply Chain Shocks  [09:55] Dependencies on Russian Oil & Gas [12:33] New Lessons for Chinese Policymakers? [15:30] Impact on Teapot Refineries and Responses [18:37] Percentage of Chinese Oil and Gas Impacted [22:26] Could China Buy Gas from the US? [25:15] Potential Wins and Losses for Chinese Industries

For decades we've seen nations exercise geopolitical dominance tied to their production and control of fossil fuels – especially oil. But that leverage may be changing. Last year, China installed nearly twenty times the amount of wind and solar as the United States. In this essay in The National Interest, the authors lay out a global political and economic realignment already underway. Petrostates, like those in OPEC, are increasingly at odds with electrostates like China and many in the EU. This isn't to say that electrostates are not without resource challenges – they're seriously dependent on mineral supply chains – but the challenges are different, as are the opportunities. When 70% of the world's population lives in fossil-fuel-importing countries, how are these diverging resource paths shaping the global balances of power?  Guests: Tatiana Mitrova, Global Fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University Vijay Vaitheeswaran, Global Energy & Climate Innovation Editor, The Economist Li Shuo, Director, China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute For show notes, related links, and episode transcript, visit https://climateone.org/podcasts Highlights: 00:00 – Intro 04:30 – Tatiana Mitrova on petrostates and the idea of electrostates 10:00 – Electrostates are already taking market share from petrostates 13:30 – How Mitrova sees balance of power shifting as world electrifies 17:15 – Vijay Vaitheeswaran on the concept of an electrostate 26:00 – How cheap electricity could allow developing nations to skip over fossil fuels 34:00 – Vaitheeswaran on how U.S. should take on industrial policy in this moment 38:00 – Li Shuo: China's latest 5-year plan suggests it will double down on clean tech sector 41:00 – China installed nearly twenty times wind and solar as U.S. last year 49:30 – China is on track to become firs ********** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today at patreon.com/ClimateOne.  Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades we've seen nations exercise geopolitical dominance tied to their production and control of fossil fuels – especially oil. But that leverage may be changing. Last year, China installed nearly twenty times the amount of wind and solar as the United States. In ⁠this essay⁠ in The National Interest, the authors lay out a global political and economic realignment already underway. Petrostates, like those in OPEC, are increasingly at odds with electrostates like China and many in the EU. This isn't to say that electrostates are not without resource challenges – they're seriously dependent on mineral supply chains – but the challenges are different, as are the opportunities. When 70% of the world's population lives in fossil-fuel-importing countries, how are these diverging resource paths shaping the global balances of power?  Guests: Tatiana Mitrova, Global Fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University Vijay Vaitheeswaran, Global Energy & Climate Innovation Editor, The Economist Li Shuo, Director, China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute For show notes, related links, and episode transcript, visit https://climateone.org/podcasts Highlights: 00:00 – Intro 04:30 – Tatiana Mitrova on petrostates and the idea of electrostates 10:00 – Electrostates are already taking market share from petrostates 13:30 – How Mitrova sees balance of power shifting as world electrifies 17:15 – Vijay Vaitheeswaran on the concept of an electrostate 26:00 – How cheap electricity could allow developing nations to skip over fossil fuels 34:00 – Vaitheeswaran on how U.S. should take on industrial policy in this moment 38:00 – Li Shuo: China's latest 5-year plan suggests it will double down on clean tech sector 41:00 – China installed nearly twenty times wind and solar as U.S. last year 49:30 – China is on track to become firs ********** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today at ⁠patreon.com/ClimateOne⁠.  Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crude and gas prices are soaring after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on regional energy infrastructure amid war in the Middle East. How bad could the energy shock get and for how long? FP columnist Jason Bordoff sits down with Ravi Agrawal to discuss. Bordoff previously served in the Obama administration as a senior director for energy and climate change in the National Security Council. He is also the founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. Jason Bordoff and Spencer Dale: Making the U.S. More Resilient to Oil Price Shocks Esfandyar Batmanghelidj: The Iran War Is Jeopardizing the Entire Global Economy Jason Bordoff and Erica Downs: How the Iran War Could Consolidate China's Energy Dominance Keith Johnson: Iran Is Putting a ‘Toll Booth' in the Strait of Hormuz Nils Gilman: Electrostates vs. Petrostates Keith Johnson: Europe and the U.S. Still Haven't Choked Off Russia's Energy Riches Maisoon H. Kafafy: Empty Words Don't Open Straits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran has currently shut off more than 10 percent of the world's oil supply. If that goes on for a lot longer — or if the war escalates to include more strikes on energy infrastructure in the region — the price of oil could go through the roof, and the damage to the global economy could be catastrophic. So what would that look like? What tools does the United States have to avert it? And how is this crisis already reverberating in countries around the world? Jason Bordoff is the founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and a founding dean of the Columbia Climate School. He served as a special assistant to President Barack Obama and senior director for energy and climate change on the National Security Council. In this conversation, Bordoff answers all my questions about the crisis so far and how things could spin out from here, the strategic positioning of the United States, Europe, Iran, Russia and China, the developing countries likely to suffer the most and the lessons the world might take from this. Mentioned: “Making the U.S. More Resilient to Oil Price Shocks” by Jason Bordoff and Spencer Dale “The Return of the Energy Weapon” by Jason Bordoff and Meghan L. O'Sullivan Book Recommendations: Material World by Ed Conway More and More and More by Jean-Baptiste Fressoz Deliver Me from Nowhere by Warren Zanes Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast, and you can find Ezra on Twitter @ezraklein. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Iran war is adding impetus to reconciliation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as the region seeks to position itself as a new trade corridor between Europe and energy-rich central Asia, with the conflict highlighting Europe's energy dependency on the volatile Middle East. Addressing the European Parliament earlier this month, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared that, with the Iranian conflict on its border, efforts would be stepped up to realise a trade route with Azerbaijan.  The United States-brokered TRIPP project, negotiated by United States President Donald Trump last August, is seen as key to reconciling the two countries, after decades of conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh enclave.  With both Armenia and Azerbaijan bordering Iran, the conflict is providing a powerful impetus for cooperation. “This war in Iran has fostered much more of a localised regional identity where, despite the wars and the conflicts of the last several decades, Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan are actually banding together,” said Richard Giragosiyan, director of the Regional Studies Center, a think tank based in the Armenian capital, Yerevan. “Now is the one opportunity for consolidating regional connectivity in terms of trade and transport." Life after ruin: Aghdam's fragile rebirth after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict 'The Trump Road' Pashinyan and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev signed the TRIPP agreement as part of a peace deal, committing to unimpeded connectivity between mainland Azerbaijan and the exclave of Nakhchivan, via Armenian territory. The new trade route is expected to become part of what is dubbed the “Middle Corridor”, linking energy-rich Central Asian countries to Europe via Turkey. Tehran strongly opposes the initiative, as the corridor offers an alternative to transiting through Iran to Central Asia. However, the Iran war has further curtailed Tehran's diminishing influence in the Caucasus. “We also shouldn't forget the benefits of the Iran war,” said Turkey analyst Atilla Yesilada of the New York-based Global Source Partners consultancy. “They [Ankara] want a weak Iran so that they can expand their footprint in the South Caucasus against Iran.” Yesilada says the fallout from the Iran war underscores the importance of the TRIPP agreement – or, as it's sometimes dubbed in Turkey, the “Trump Road" – which is key to Ankara's economic goals.  “We get the Trump Road because nobody would want to traverse Iran under these conditions,” explains Yesilada, “And you get [a] not immediate but gradual, but permanent, development boost from trade and investment along that route.” US takes lead in Caucasus peace deal as France is pushed aside A new route for Europe The Middle Corridor is seen as an opportunity for Europe to diversify in terms of energy supply from the volatile Middle East. “The most obvious security lesson [from the Iran war] is diversity,” said Tatiana Mitrova, a research fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at New York's Columbia University. "The real jewel is Turkmenistan's gas, the third largest [supply] in terms of the world's resources. I believe that there will be a lot of discussions about the middle corridor both in the region and in Europe.” However, Mitrova remains cautious about the project's viability, saying: "Economically it's not attractive – too many risks and too low margins.” The Caucasus is sandwiched between Russia's war in Ukraine and the Iran conflict, raising questions over how secure any new energy route to Europe would be. These come alongside reservations over the viability of the billions of euros of investment needed, at a time when Europe is seeking to transition away from fossil fuels.  “The problem with the Brussels policy is they don't want to invest in hydrocarbons, they don't invest in gas,” said Farid Shafiyev, chairman of the Baku-based Center of Analysis of International Relations. Frenchman convicted for spying in Azerbaijan, sentenced to ten years Opportunity for peace However, Shafiyev argues that, in addition to providing an alternative energy supply for Europe, there is an opportunity to build on the current momentum for peace.  “There is some hostility remaining... but overall, the feeling [is] we don't want any new war and conflict in the South Caucasus. And indeed, [there is] a sort of window of opportunity to bring this alternative route, including for energy and gas." Interdependency in trade, and with it economic prosperity, is seen as key to strengthening the rapprochement between Armenia, Azerbaijan and their Turkish neighbours. It's a rapprochement that could also be vital to resisting any future threat from Russia, which is seeking to reassert itself in the region. However, such threats of renewed instability could also prove a major obstacle to any large-scale infrastructure investment by Europe.

Program for 03/20/26 Clayton Wood, Seth Houser: Christianity and Global Energy Policy

In this episode, panelists discuss the ongoing geoeconomic consequences of the conflict in Iran, including global energy flows and oil prices, economic development and AI buildout in the Gulf region, and sanctions on Russia. They also explore inflation and interest rates as markets respond to the crises.   Background Reading: In this article, CFR president Michael Froman discusses the unfolding global energy crisis with CFR senior fellow Daniel B. Poneman and the Center on Global Energy Policy's Jason Bordoff, all of whom worked together on the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve 2011 release.   Host: Edward Fishman, Senior Fellow and Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, Council on Foreign Relations   Guests: Edward Morse, Senior Advisor and Commodities Analyst, Hartree Partners, LP; CFR Member   Meghan L. O'Sullivan, Director and Professor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School; Member, Board of Directors, Council on Foreign Relations   Brad W. Setser, Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations   Karen E. Young, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs; CFR Member   Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR's Daily News Brief newsletter.   To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: The Geoeconomic Ripple Effects of the War in Iran

As the conflict in ​the Middle East enters its 20th day, events on the ground have shifted into a critical new phase marked by direct strikes on core​ energy infrastructure. With the Strait of Hormuz closed for three weeks, effectively bottling up nearly a fifth of the world's oil and LNG supply, recent escalations have turned the crisis from energy flow disruptions to potentially long-term physical damage.  Following Israeli strikes on the South Pars gas field in Iran, retaliatory attacks hit Qatar's Ras Laffan—the world's largest LNG plant—and key energy assets across the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Crude oil and natural gas prices have surged, signaling a shrinking toolkit for policymakers struggling to contain price volatility. In this episode of the Iran Conflict Brief, host Daniel Sternoff ​t​alks with Anne-Sophie Corbeau to analyze the impact of these infrastructure attacks on global LNG supplies and energy security.  They discuss the extent of the damage to Qatari and Iranian production facilities and the intensifying pressure on global markets. They also discuss the possibilities, and reverberations, to a scenario where this leads Europe to a return to Russian gas. Anne-Sophie is a global research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy and a leading authority on the intersection of geopolitics and natural gas. Credits: Hosted by Daniel Sternoff. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.

As the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran enters its third week, the complexities of the global energy landscape are deepening by the hour. Shut-ins of Middle Eastern upstream oil production are now approaching 10 million barrels per day, 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas remains shuttered, and the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed to normal maritime traffic. And while a historic 400-million-barrel release from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve helped blunt oil prices from rising further over a hundred dollars per barrel, flow rate limitations mean such stockpiles may only meet one fifth of the ongoing daily disruptions. In this episode of the Iran Conflict Brief, host Daniel Sternoff sits down with Richard Nephew to give an update on the latest events in Iran. They provide an analysis of the ongoing military strikes, including the recent US targeting of Kharg Island and Iran's retaliation against the UAE's Fujairah port. Richard is a senior research scholar at the Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy and the author of The Art of Sanctions. Over the past two decades, he has held a range of senior roles in the US government, including deputy special envoy for Iran, principal deputy coordinator for sanctions policy at the Department of State, and director for Iran at the National Security Council. Credits: Hosted by Daniel Sternoff. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.

Today, POLITICO Energy host Nirmal Mulaikal sits down for an extended interview with Jason Bordoff, the founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and a former senior director for energy and climate change on the National Security Council during the Obama administration. They discuss why the war in the Middle East could — contrary to conventional wisdom — actually strengthen China's energy dominance in the long-run, along with the conflict's implications for Europe, the global clean energy transition, and whether there are historical precedents that might help explain what's happening in the energy sector today. Stefan Todorovic is the video producer of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Cyril Zaneski is executive editor of POLITICO's E&E News. Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO. Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Follow the show on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and Instagram. Follow POLITICO here:    ➤ X: https://x.com/politico/ ➤ Instagram:  / politico      ➤ Facebook:  / politico   For more reporting on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the program, Fareed's exclusive interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his country's important, albeit unlikely, role in the Iran War: as Iranian-designed drones are fired across the Middle East - the very same drones used by Russia against Ukraine for years - Kyiv has sent military experts to the Gulf to help bring the drones down.   Then, how can we expect the war in Iran to unfold from here? Carnegie Senior Fellow Karim Sadjadpour and Lisa Anderson, international affairs professor at Columbia, join Fareed to discuss.   Finally, the war has triggered one of the worst oil shocks in decades, as Tehran continues to attack commercial ships and oil infrastructure across the region. Fareed speaks to Jason Bordoff, founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy, about which countries are most exposed, and which ones are set to benefit.   GUESTS: Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa); Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour); Lisa Anderson; Jason Bordoff (@JasonBordoff) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In energy markets, all eyes are on the Strait of Hormuz. As of March 11, 2026, this vital passage is effectively closed to tanker traffic, stranding almost a fifth of world supplies of crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas.  Yesterday, oil prices retreated sharply on a tweet from US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, claiming that the US Navy had escorted a tanker through Hormuz. That tweet was retracted, and was followed by reports that US intelligence had detected signs Iran had begun placing mines in the Strait.  To help sort through the quickly-changing events in the Middle East and dig into how they impact energy security, we are launching a new, limited series of the Columbia Energy Exchange podcast: the Iran Conflict Brief. To kick off the series, Daniel Sternoff, a senior fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy, speaks with Mike Knights about what needs to happen in order for oil and gas flows to resume through the Strait of Hormuz. Mike is an expert on Gulf and Middle East security and leads research at Horizon Engage, a strategic advisory firm. For over 20 years he has advised operators and investors in the region of political and security risks. He is also an adjunct fellow at the Washington Institute for NearEast Policy, where he co-founded the Militia Spotlight, focused on Iran-backed proxies. Credits: Hosted by Daniel Sternoff. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc

The conflict in the Middle East is evolving with incredible speed, creating a landscape where the complexities of understanding both immediate and long-term outcomes have never been greater. W​e'll still be here every Tuesday for our deep-dive conversations​ on the global energy landscape. But the ​speed of events in Iran and ​across the region demands a different kind of coverage. That's why we're launching a new limited series:​ the Iran Conflict Brief. It's a rapid-response ​p​odcast ​hosted by ​Daniel Sternoff and other experts from Columbia​ University SIPA's Center on Global Energy Policy​. ​In conversations with other leading voices, we're going to ​help answer the biggest questions of the day in ​30 minutes or less. From the latest on​ policy shifts to ​g​lobal energy markets and geopolitical dynamics—we're tracking it all. Look for the first episode of the Iran Conflict Brief right here in your Columbia Energy Exchange feed.

Today we had the honor of welcoming three powerhouse guests from Lazard for an engaging discussion at the intersection of geopolitics, global security, and energy markets. Joining us were Admiral Bill McRaven, Retired Four-Star Admiral in the U.S. Navy and Senior Advisor at Lazard, Theodore Bunzel, Head of Lazard Geopolitical Advisory, and George Bilicic, Vice Chairman and Global Head of Power, Energy and Infrastructure. Bill is a Professor of National Security at the University of Texas Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and previously served as Chancellor of the University of Texas System. During his military career, he commanded special operations forces at every level and led U.S. Special Operations Command. He oversaw the missions to capture both Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. He joined Lazard as a Senior Advisor in 2021. Teddy has spent his career at the intersection of international political and economic affairs and financial services. He joined Lazard from BlackRock and also serves as a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy. George Bilicic previously led Lazard's Midwest Advisory Business and has over 20 years of experience at Lazard in the investment banking business. His prior roles include senior positions at Cravath, Merrill Lynch, KKR, and Sempra Energy. Our conversation began with Bill's insights into the situation in Iran and the broader Middle East, including what we are learning four days in, the difference between a more “surgical” campaign and a broader strike strategy, and the ways Tehran may try to expand the conflict and prolong it. Bill shares his assessment of the military operation so far, why Iran's missile and drone response was expected, what surprised him tactically, how decentralizing command and control complicates targeting, and why regime change is far more complex than simply removing leadership. We explore the risks around the Strait of Hormuz, the realities of stockpiles and logistics, the strain of sustained deployments, and what seamless U.S.-Israel military coordination signals to China and Russia as they assess this new geopolitical map. George outlines what this volatility is doing in boardrooms around the world, from capital allocation and cost of capital to supply chain realignment, tariff sensitivity, and the growing premium on reliable 24/7 power. Teddy explains how Lazard integrates real-time geopolitical analysis into client strategy, why regulatory decision-making is becoming more discretionary, how European leaders are grappling with structural energy vulnerability and higher costs, how allies and European boardrooms are reassessing U.S. reliability, and why “trusted supply” is becoming central to LNG contracting and long-term energy security. We end by looking at the uncertain path forward, including the limits of prediction, the sustainability of current operations, and how geopolitics is increasingly embedded in corporate decision-making. Thank you to Bill, Teddy, and George for the insightful and timely discussion. Mike Bradley started off by noting that this week's macro conversation has been dominated by U.S. military strikes against Iran and the potential short- and intermediate-term market fallout. In rates, the 10-year Treasury yield moved up to 4.06% (up 12 bps), while some perceived safe havens like gold and silver were ironically lower on the week. In crude, WTI spiked Tuesday to roughly $78/bbl before pulling back to around $74/bbl, amid reports that the Strait of Hormuz was effectively shut—halting approximately 15 mmbpd of oil shipments. Oil retraced from intraday highs as markets focused on President Trump proposing financial security and military escorts for tankers in and out of the Gulf, rather than an SPR release. Refined products moved sharply higher, with wholesale diesel, gasoline, and heating oil up roughly 20% this week. Globally, Qatari LNG was shut down for the first time in 30+ years, help

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a campaign against Iran targeting military infrastructure and the regime's core leadership. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials died in the attacks, which triggered a leadership crisis and inflamed tensions throughout the Middle East.   In the immediate aftermath, Iran launched extensive barrages of drones and ballistic missiles aimed at Israel, US military bases, ​and other targets in neighboring Gulf states. Energy prices rose sharply. This regional shift carries immediate and enduring consequences for global geopolitics and the stability of international energy flows. ​The outcome of the conflict—and the ultimate fate of the Iranian regime—remains deeply uncertain. Even with these open questions, the trajectory of this escalation will likely redefine the future of Middle Eastern security, global power dynamics, and the world's energy markets. How is the conflict evolving, and how might it end? What are the impacts on Gulf states and what are some of the possible paths forward? And how is this all impacting oil and gas markets across the globe? Today on the show, Jason Bordoff speaks with four experts from the Center on Global Energy Policy—Anne-Sophie Corbeau, Richard Nephew, Daniel Sternoff, and Karen Young—to discuss the escalating conflict and its impact on energy and geopolitics. Anne-Sophie is a global research scholar at CGEP, where she focuses on hydrogen and natural gas. She previously worked as a senior analyst at BP and the International Energy Agency. Richard is a senior research scholar at CGEP and formerly served as the US deputy special envoy for Iran under the Biden administration, where he played a key role in negotiations over the Iran nuclear deal.  Daniel is a senior fellow at CGEP and heads its corporate partnership strategy.  Karen is a senior research scholar at CGEP with expertise in the Middle East focusing on geopolitics, the political economy of Gulf states, and energy policy. The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA is closely following the escalating conflict in Iran and its implications for US national security, Middle East geopolitics, and global energy markets. See all of our coverage here. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.  

Many consider a widespread war in the Middle East the worst-case scenario for the global oil and gas markets. That war is here, and it could have wide-ranging, long-lasting impacts on energy and climate policy. This week on Zero, Akshat Rathi speaks with Jason Bordoff, director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and former energy and climate advisor to President Barack Obama to try to understand what those impacts could look like. Will countries double down on fossil fuels or will they speed up the clean-energy transition? Links and more: For all of Bloomberg's coverage of Iran, visit: https://www.bloomberg.com/uk What the War With Iran Means for Renewable Energy Deployment Zero is a production of Bloomberg Green. Our producer is Oscar Boyd. Special thanks to Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Sommer Saadi, Mohsis Andam, Sharon Chen and Laura Millan. Thoughts or suggestions? Email us at zeropod@bloomberg.net. For more coverage of climate change and solutions, visit https://www.bloomberg.com/green. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump has aggressively used tariffs as an economic tool, but a US Supreme Court decision on Friday struck down his sweeping tariffs, bringing new uncertainty. The court, in a 6-to-3 decision, ruled that the president had exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs on nearly every US trading partner last year. President Trump moved swiftly to work around the court by imposing levies using other trade powers. On Saturday, Trump said that he would raise the new global tariff rate to 15%, using a provision in a law that allows him to impose an across-the-board tariff. This measure can only be enacted for 150 days unless Congress agrees to extend it. Trump also said he would use the act to investigate other countries' unfair trade practices, which could result in additional tariffs.  What does the Supreme Court ruling mean for the president's ability to wield tariffs for geopolitical pressure? How will this impact US trading partners and existing trade deals? And what about the impact on the energy sector, from oil and gas to clean energy products?  Today on the show, Jason Bordoff speaks with two researchers from the Center on Global Energy Policy, Richard Nephew and Trevor Sutton, to unpack the ruling. Richard formerly served as the US deputy special envoy for Iran under the Biden administration, where he played a key role in negotiations over the Iran nuclear deal. From 2013-2015, Richard also served as the Principal Deputy Sanctions Coordinator at the US Department of State. Trevor focuses on the intersection of trade, climate, and industrial policy. He leads the center's program on trade and the clean energy transition. Trevor previously served as research director of the Remaking Trade for a Sustainable Future project. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.  

In this episode, host Daniel Raimi is joined by Luisa Palacios, an adjunct senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, who breaks down the major and most recent energy developments in Venezuela. Palacios recounts the role of oil in Venezuela's history and the implications of oil dependency as the country navigates another period of political uncertainty. Venezuela's oil industry, Palacios underscores, is a major player in the international energy market and faces obstacles to acquiring substantial investment. Palacios draws from her expertise in emerging markets and international affairs to note the critical moves to look for as the world awaits how Venezuela could balance efforts to reduce carbon intensity with economic growth. References and recommendations: “Reinventing Venezuela's Struggling Electricity Sector” by Francisco Morandi and Luisa Palacios; https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/reinventing-venezuelas-struggling-electricity-sector/ “Michael Webber on What's Behind Rising Energy Costs” episode of the Columbia Energy Exchange podcast from the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs; https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/michael-webber-on-whats-behind-rising-energy-costs/ “World Energy Investment” reports from the International Energy Agency; https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-investment-2025#overview Subscribe to stay up to date on podcast episodes, news, and research from Resources for the Future: https://www.rff.org/subscribe/

This week on the podcast, we're sharing highlights from a conversation at the 8th Annual Haskayne School of Business PETRONAS International Energy Speaker Series held on February 11, 2026. Jackie Forrest moderated a sold-out session featuring award-winning author Edward Fishman, whose recent book Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare, explores the rise of U.S. geoeconomic strategy. Mr. Fishman is a Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy and an Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Joining the discussion was Robert (RJ) Johnston, Director of Energy and Natural Resources Policy at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy. The conversation explores a wide range of issues, including the United States' use of tariffs as a tool of economic warfare, the potential for expanded investment and trade between Canada and China, how such a shift might be viewed by the U.S., and key lessons from American intervention in Venezuela. The panel also discusses the prospects for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, whether a weakening U.S. dollar could diminish America's ability to deploy economic statecraft, and, finally, whether China's growing self-sufficiency could ultimately reduce the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions and leverage. The episode concludes with Peter and Jackie sharing their reflections on the discussion, offering their own perspectives, and examining the issues through a Canadian lens. Content referenced in this podcast:Peter Tertzakian's article on why Canada must act with urgency to diversify its export markets, “Oil, Mercantilism, and the Return of Gunboat Economics” (January 12, 2025) Edward Fishman's article on how Europe should handle Donald Trump's threats, “Want to stop Trump bullying your country? Retaliate” (February 8, 2026) Peter Tertzakian's article, “The Cost of Being a Market Hostage,” (September 8, 2025)Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify 

The Trump administration has prioritized nuclear energy expansion, aiming to increase US nuclear capacity fourfold by 2050. This nuclear energy resurgence in the US is a rare issue with bipartisan support, and tech companies have poured billions of dollars into sustaining nuclear power plants and building new reactors to supply AI data centers. But accelerating nuclear power could mean changing environmental and safety reviews. And small modular reactors and other innovations in nuclear energy are likely years from commercial readiness.  So is there a way to reinvigorate nuclear energy in the US that's safe and fast? What would that mean for the power sector and the communities that support plants today, and future sites? Are there any signs that new technologies could address the perennial questions around nuclear safety? And what does all of this mean for national security and energy policy? Today on the show, Bill Loveless speaks with Laura S. H. Holgate, Ambassador (ret.) about the state of nuclear energy innovation, safety, and governance. Laura is the president of LSHH International Advisors and a distinguished visiting fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy. She twice served as ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency. She has held multiple positions in and out of government, including vice president at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, special assistant to the president at the White House National Security Council, and a senior official at the departments of Energy and Defense.  Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.  

On January 3, U.S. forces captured Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, and flew them to New York to stand trial for drug trafficking and narco-terrorisim. At the same time, President Trump has not been shy about stating his other motivation for intervening in the country: Back in December, he said, “We had a lot of oil there. As you know they threw our companies out, and we want it back." So what are the geopolitical ramifications of these actions?  And in a world increasingly powered by renewable energy, could fossil-fueled conflicts become a thing of the past?  Episode Guests:  Luisa Palacios, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University  Amy Myers Jaffe, Director, Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab, NYU  Bill McKibben, Founder, Third Act and 350.org For show notes, transcript, and related links, visit ⁠⁠climateone.org/podcasts⁠⁠. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 04:54 Luisa Palacios on growing up in Venezuela 08:59 Luisa Palacios on the risks in Venezuela's oil industry 15:15 Luisa Palacios on the climate impact of increasing Venezuela's oil output 18:01 Amy Myers Jaffe on her reaction to the Maduro's forced removal 21:08 Amy Myers Jaffe on what the military action is really about 28:32 Amy Myers Jaffe on the importance of the action in Venezuela 35:21 Amy Myers Jaffe on the national security aspects of clean tech 38:39 Bill McKibben on the military action in Venezuela 49:45 Bill McKibben on the “last gasp' of the fossil fuel industry 52:26 Bill McKibben on the US reversal on climate policy and clean tech ********** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today at patreon.com/ClimateOne.  Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On January 3, U.S. forces captured Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, and flew them to New York to stand trial for drug trafficking and narco-terrorisim. At the same time, President Trump has not been shy about stating his other motivation for intervening in the country: Back in December, he said, “We had a lot of oil there. As you know they threw our companies out, and we want it back." So what are the geopolitical ramifications of these actions?  And in a world increasingly powered by renewable energy, could fossil-fueled conflicts become a thing of the past?  Episode Guests:  Luisa Palacios, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University  Amy Myers Jaffe, Director, Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab, NYU  Bill McKibben, Founder, Third Act and 350.org For show notes, transcript, and related links, visit ⁠climateone.org/podcasts⁠. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 04:54 Luisa Palacios on growing up in Venezuela 08:59 Luisa Palacios on the risks in Venezuela's oil industry 15:15 Luisa Palacios on the climate impact of increasing Venezuela's oil output 18:01 Amy Myers Jaffe on her reaction to the Maduro's forced removal 21:08 Amy Myers Jaffe on what the military action is really about 28:32 Amy Myers Jaffe on the importance of the action in Venezuela 35:21 Amy Myers Jaffe on the national security aspects of clean tech 38:39 Bill McKibben on the military action in Venezuela 49:45 Bill McKibben on the “last gasp' of the fossil fuel industry 52:26 Bill McKibben on the US reversal on climate policy and clean tech ********** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today at ⁠patreon.com/ClimateOne⁠.  Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What drives global natural gas prices more: power politics or supply and demand? In this episode, we discuss the geo-politicization of natural gas and the challenge that presents to traders and investors alike. Why was 2025 such a difficult year for traders? And what are the most consequential stories in natural gas for 2026? H Returning to the show is Anne-Sophie Corbeau, Global Research Scholar at the Center for Global Energy Policy.

From June 8, 2020: On May 27, the Trump administration announced that it was withdrawing sanctions waivers that had allowed Russian, Chinese and European companies to work with Iran on sensitive Iranian nuclear sites in support of the goals of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. Margaret Taylor talked about what it really means with two experts: Peter Harrell, an attorney and adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, and Richard Nephew, senior research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. They talked about what has happened since the Trump Administration decided to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement in 2018 and what difficulties a new presidential administration may encounter in re-joining the agreement.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran is once again witnessing large-scale protests, on which the regime is cracking down through mass arrests and deadly force. President Trump has stated that the United States would come to the rescue of Iranians if the regime continues to kill protestors. Meanwhile, Tehran continues to reconstitute its nuclear program, which was damaged during the 12-day war over the summer. President Trump has threatened to eliminate Iran's nuclear and missile programs if Tehran does not stop rebuilding its capabilities. Iran's regional standing remains diminished, though its relationships with Russia and China continue even as tensions create limits to cooperation. On today's episode, Lawfare Public Service Fellow Ariane Tabatabai sits down with Richard Nephew, Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and former Deputy Special Envoy for Iran, to discuss the latest developments in Iran, take stock of U.S. policy toward Iran during President Trump's first year back in office, and offer indicators for what to expect next.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday sent shockwaves across the globe. And although the targeted military operation was a success, the repercussions of ousting the authoritarian leader will be long-lasting and hard to predict.  To make sense of the new world order ushered in by President Trump's “Donroe Doctrine,” we convened a panel of experts: an oil industry specialist, a national security journalist, and an historian of Venezuela. Luisa Palacios is the managing director of energy transition finance at the Center on Global Energy Policy and the former chairwoman of the Citgo Petroleum Corporation. David Sanger is the White House and national security correspondent for The New York Times. He's played central roles on three teams that have won Pulitzer Prizes, and he's the author of four books, including his latest, “New Cold Wars: China's Rise, Russia's Invasion and America's Struggle to Defend the West.” Alejandro Velasco is a historian, a professor at New York University, the former executive editor of the NACLA Report on the Americas, and the author of “Barrio Rising: Urban Popular Politics and the Making of Modern Venezuela.” Together, they unpack the Trump administration's competing rationales for deposing Maduro; the feasibility of controlling Venezuela without American boots on the ground; the effect of “regime change” without actually changing the regime on the people of Venezuela; and the global implications for America's credibility. Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Early on January 3, 2026, the United States apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and removed Maduro from power. Maduro was transported to New York, where he now faces federal charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.  The situation in Venezuela remains highly fluid, as does the US policy response. President Trump has signaled a dramatic expansion of US objectives. He has suggested the US will be "running" the country during a transition and is seeking direct access to Venezuela's massive oil reserves.  In Caracas, interim President Delcy Rodríguez condemned the operation but has expressed a willingness to negotiate. Meanwhile, the role of democratic opposition leader María Corina Machado remains unclear. Venezuela possesses the largest oil reserves in the world and these developments raise important questions for global energy markets at a time of ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. What's the future of Venezuelan oil? And how might US sanctions and foreign policy decisions reshape energy flows in the region and beyond? Today on the show, Jason Bordoff speaks with three leading experts at the Center on Global Energy Policy, Luisa Palacios, Richard Nephew, and Daniel Sternoff, about the recent events in Venezuela and their wide-ranging implications.  Luisa previously served as chairwoman of Citgo Petroleum Corporation, the US refining arm of Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA. Richard formerly was the US deputy special envoy for Iran among several other government roles focused on sanctions and foreign policy. Before joining the Center, Daniel led Energy Aspects' executive briefing service. The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA is closely following recent US actions in Venezuela and their impact on geopolitics, policy, and global energy markets. Follow us @ColumbiaUEnergy for more insights and updates. See all of our coverage here. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.

Over the past week, President Trump has intensified pressure on Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro by targeting the regime's economic lifeline—oil. The United States has seized two oil tankers and is in pursuit of another, following President Trump's declaration of what he called a "total and complete blockade" of vessels carrying Venezuelan crude subject to US sanctions. The move places one of Venezuela's most valuable and strategic assets squarely at the center of the conflict. The country holds an estimated 17 percent of the world's oil reserves and produces nearly one million barrels per day, nearly all of which is exported. Targeting these exports and the use of a naval blockade carries serious implications, raising questions about the potential for further escalation. How is the standoff between Washington and Caracas evolving? What diplomatic or economic off-ramps—if any—remain? And what does all of this mean for global energy markets already navigating a fragile balance of supply, sanctions, and geopolitical risk? This week, Jason Bordoff speaks with Luisa Palacios and Eddie Fishman about the Trump administration's strategy in the region. Luisa leads the research team and is a scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy. Previously, she served as chairwoman of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, the US refining arm of Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA. Eddie is a senior research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy. He is the author of the bestselling book Chokepoints: American Power in the Era of Economic Warfare, which was named a finalist for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.