Energy, Climate, and National Security

Energy plays a key enabling role to the Department of Defense, and to the broader national security and capabilities of the United States. Because climate change, energy disruptions, and supply chain risks could affect the mission capabilities, performance, and life cycle costs in the DoD, our group develops models for evaluating resilience challenges and options under non-stationarity and deep uncertainty. We also model the impact of new technologies on operations and capabilities.

 

Selected Research Outputs

  • Journal Paper: Newkirk, A.C., Samaras, C., Morgan, M.G., Fuchs, E.R.H. (2026). Assessment of Vulnerability to Disruptions to the Supply of Semiconductors. Journal of Risk Research. 29(4), 463-480. [Open Access Version].

  • Presentation: Security Considerations of Climate Change and AI, Center for Climate and Security, February 5, 2026.

  • Journal Paper: Samaras. C. (2025). Decarbonization Can Improve Energy Security. Nature Climate Change. 15, 467–468. [Editor Reviewed]. [Journal Version] [Open Access Version].

  • Policy Brief: Samaras, C. (2025). Speed Grid Connection Using ‘Smart AI Fast Lanes’ and Competitive Prizes. Day One Project Energy and AI Policy Sprint, Federation of American Scientists.

  • Journal Paper: Samaras, C., Nuttall, W., Bazilian, M. (2019). Energy and the Military: Convergence of Security, Economic, and Environmental Decision-Making. Energy Strategy Reviews. 26, 100409 [Open Access Version].

  • Policy Essay: Samaras, C., Bazilian, M., Nuttall, W. (2019). Energy and the Military: Leading By Example. Yale Global. Yale University, May 21, 2019. [Web]

  • Policy Essay: Goldstein, A., Samaras, C. (2017). Dire Straits: Strategically-significant international waterways in a warming world. In Epicenters of Climate and Security: The New Geo-Strategic Landscape of the Anthropocene, C. Werrel and F. Femia (eds.), Washington, D.C.: Center for Climate and Security. [Download]

  • RAND Report: Samaras C., Costello R., DeLuca P., Guerra S.J., Kuhn K, Narayanan A., Nixon M., Pettyjohn S.L., Sweeney N., Vesely J.V., Burgette L.F. (2016). Improvements to Air Force Strategic Basing Decisions. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, RR-1297-AF, 2016 [Download]

  • Policy Essay: Samaras, C. (2015). U.S. Military Basing Considerations during a Rebalance to Asia: Maintaining Capabilities under Climate Change Impacts. In The U.S. Asia-Pacific Rebalance, National Security and Climate Change, C. Werrel and F. Femia (eds.), Washington, D.C.: Center for Climate and Security. [Download]

  • RAND Report: Samaras, C., Willis, H.H., Capabilities-Based Planning for Energy Security at Department of Defense Installations, Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, RR-162-RC, 2013. [Download]

  • RAND Report: Samaras, C., Haddad, A., Grammich, C., Webb, K.W., Obtaining Life-Cycle Cost Effective Facilities in the Department of Defense, Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, RR-169-OSD, 2013. [Download]