Episode 126: Energy on the Frontline of European Security

Disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has left European gas prices far above where they sat at the start of 2026 and reserves are lower than where they need to be for winter.

Jet and diesel markets are tighter than at any point since 2022.

And, across the North Sea, unexplained drones and loitering vessels have become a routine feature of offshore operations.

In this episode, Andrew Gee, Director, International Security at RUSI, is joined by Amund Vik, senior advisor at Eurasia Group and former head of strategy and policy for the Norwegian Labour Party, and Petras Katinas, a research fellow in climate, energy and defence at RUSI Europe.

They discuss the following core questions:

• How exposed will the United Kingdom and Europe energy markets be this winter and is more North Sea energy production any kind of solution?
• Who does Europe now depend on for its energy? Is that reliance a partnership or a vulnerability?
• If energy infrastructure is now a target, what does defending it require? Would a turn to civil nuclear power change the picture?