Radical with Amol Rajan How Will The Shift To Green Energy Reshape Global Politics? (Your Radical Questions with Professor Helen Thompson)
Jan 19, 2026
Professor Helen Thompson, a Political Economy expert from the University of Cambridge, shares her insights on energy and geopolitics. She discusses the implications of the energy transition, highlighting China's emerging dominance in renewable supply chains. Helen analyzes the U.S.'s approach to Venezuelan and Cuban oil, revealing the complexities of energy security. The conversation takes a stark turn as they confront uncomfortable truths about poverty and the physical limitations of energy policy. It's an eye-opening exploration of how energy shapes our world.
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US Leverage Came With The Shale Boom
- The US only regained leverage over European energy after the shale gas boom around 2010.
- Before that the US imported oil and could not effectively police Europe's reliance on Russian supplies.
Fracking Hopes Often Hit Geological Limits
- European fracking attempts largely failed because geology, not politics, prevented success.
- Helen Thompson notes Ukraine and Poland hoped shale would deliver energy independence but it proved false hope.
US Oil Quarantine As Coercive Tool
- The US enforces an effective 'oil quarantine' around Venezuela to coerce its regime.
- Helen Thompson argues Russia would unlikely risk breaching that quarantine on Cuba given other geopolitical strains.
