Energy and National Security

Program Overview

U.S. and global energy systems are in need of transformation. Myriad trends indicate the current system, in a business-as-usual future, is unsustainable: rising demand over the long term, inaccessible supplies, price volatility, outmoded international institutions, and climate change. There is urgent need for policy to set a new trajectory that recognizes the need to balance economic, environmental, and security priorities, but also manages this transition. In this context, policymakers require new tools that will provide a thoughtful framework to stimulate the right mix of investments and encourage international engagement on global energy and climate challenges.

The core mission of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program is to offer these tools by conducting research on emerging energy issues and delivering independent analyses that both inform and drive well-balanced and effective policies. The team is comprised of scholars with a wide range of professional experience in the private and public sectors as well as firsthand regional expertise. These experts work to identify key elements, opportunities, and challenges in an evolving energy landscape and frame debate on issues in terms of relevant economic, environmental, and political imperatives. The Energy and National Security Program places emphasis on strategic forward thinking in formulating innovative yet pragmatic policy recommendations.