Robert M. Cutler

Robert M. Cutler earned his doctorate at The University of Michigan after receiving two Bachelor's degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After over a dozen years in leading universities in Canada, France, Russia, Switzerland and the United States, he expanded into policy analysis and consulting as an Energy Security and Geo-economics Specialist. He has over 25 years' experience in international energy diplomacy: advising energy firms, governments, international institutions and NGOs; framing policy and research issues and leading teams to address them, and producing briefings and analytical bulletins. He has published scores of refereed academic articles, policy articles and book chapters. He Practitioner Member at the University of Waterloo's Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI) and Senior Fellow at Strategy International. He is a past fellow of the Canadian International Council and Canadian Global Affairs Institute, and was for many years a senior researcher at Carleton University's Institute for European, Russian and European Studies. He is fluent in English, French and Russian. He can be reached at rmc@alum.mit.edu and posts to X from @RobertMCutler.

Dr Robert M Cutler Energy Security

Uzbekistan’s Role in European Energy Security Is Changing

Uzbekistan’s significance for European energy security has grown, and there is every indication that it will grow further. For most of the post-Soviet period, and especially under President Islam Karimov from independence in 1991 until his death in 2016, its energy sector was run as a tightly controlled extension of the old Soviet system, which Read More…

Energy Security

Italy Anchors Azerbaijan’s Gas Push to Europe

Azerbaijan and Italy are tightening energy ties, and this is having system-wide Euro-Caspian effects. In September, it was reported that SOCAR agreed to acquire Italiana Petroli, one of Italy’s largest fuel retailers, pending approvals. This purchase does not add gas capacity on day one, but it does insert Azerbaijan directly into Italy’s downstream market, bringing Read More…

Energy Security

Using NATO Partnership to Strengthen Strategic Autonomy for Azerbaijan and Central Asia in Rare-Earth Mining and Supply Chain

Robert M. Cutler, Director of the Energy Security Program, is represented NAOC at the Academic Conference on the 30th Anniversary Of Azerbaijan’s Joining NATO’s Partnership For Peace Programme, being held in Baku on 26–27 November 2024. This is an advance copy of his invited remarks. Executive Summary: NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program can expand Read More…

Energy Security

NATO Countries Seek to Import Electricity from the Caspian Sea Region

Dr. Robert Cutler discusses recent developments in the cooperation of Azerbaijan with European and NATO energy policy.

Energy Security

European Pipeline Expansion for Azerbaijan’s Gas Gets Back Under Way

Dr. Robert M. Cutler covers the European pipeline expansion for Azerbaijan’s gas and its contribution to Azerbaijan’s emergence as a pivotal player in European energy security.

Energy Security

Southern Gas Corridor Meeting Deepens EU–Azerbaijan Energy Cooperation

Dr. Robert Cutler writes on the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council, which he describes as an important milestone in EU-Azerbaijani energy relations.

Energy Security

Abu Dhabi Buy-in to Caspian Sea Gas Enhances European Energy Security

Dr. Cutler writes about Abu Dhabi’s landmark deal in the Caspian Sea and its strategic significance for European energy geopolitics.

Energy Security

Serbian Gas Deal Continues Azerbaijan’s Penetration of South-East European Energy Markets

In this article, Dr. Cutler outlines the new Serbian gas deal with Azerbaijan in the context of European energy trends and policies, as well as the BRUA pipeline project.

Energy Security

Where in the Caspian Region Will Europe Get Its Gas?

In this article, NATO Association Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Energy Security program, Robert M. Cutler, discusses Europe’s Prospects for Caspian-region gas imports, including the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline Project (TCGP) project.

Energy Security

NATO Strengthens Energy-Security Ties with Azerbaijan

In this article, Senior Research Fellow Dr. Robert M. Cutler covers NATO’s July 5th Military Committee meeting, its select partners, and its challenges. Specific attention is paid to the strengthened energy-security relations between NATO and Azerbaijan.