History - External Interests in the South Caucasus - It's about OIL & GAS
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia, Turkey and Iran again started to compete for influence in the South Caucasus. The new post-Soviet Russia sought to re-establish herself as a hegemon in what was once former colonies of the Russian Empire and former union republics in the Soviet Union. Turkey sought to re-establish political, economic and cultural links to Turkic-speaking Azerbaijan. Iran sought to re-establish political and economic links with the newly independent South Caucasian states to break out of its international isolation.
Since mid-1990’s new external actors, notably USA and the EU, have entered the game over influence in the South Caucasus. While the motives behind the engagement of ’traditional’ as well as newcomer players in the South Caucasus have been complex, one common characteristic can be discerned: all have sought to obtain access to the strategically important oil and gas resources in the Caspian region. For the main external players, Russia and USA, control over these resources and especially their transportation routes to the outside world has been key to obtain and maintain influence in the region. The rivalry over Caspian deposits and transport routes also involves a competition over access to energy resources on the other side of the Caspian Sea, in Central Asia.
Since mid-1990 two axes of alignment and cooperation between the South Caucasian states and external actors have emerged: one north-south based constituting Russia, Armenia and Iran and one east- west based comprising Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and USA.
As a result of the changed international agenda following the terrorist attack in USA 11 September 2001 and the subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, NATO recognized the strategic importance of the Caucasus region and entered into a more active engagement in the region. Georgia, the most pro-western oriented country in the South-Caucasus, openly sought membership in NATO. Russia sought to reverse these dynamics. The August 2008 intervention in Georgia was an obvious power demonstration. Russia re-established herself as the main external actor in the South Caucasus, reinforcing its military presence and reintroducing a politically dominant position.
The sub-state actors in South as well as North Caucasus are not direct players in the new political game in the Caucasus. While claiming status as independent states, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and South Ossetia are only 'de facto' independent, not 'de jure' recognized by the international community. But the configuration of external interests and the axes of cooperation and alignment that have emerged have created windows of opportunities also for these minor actors. Thus, Russia's recognition in 2008 of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states shall be seen in the wider context of geopolitical rivalry between Russia and other external actors, mainly the USA, in the South Caucasus.
Recommended Literature:
BBC: Caspian oil set for fast flow to the West: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4508633.stm
Malek, M. “The South Caucasus at the Crossroads: Ethno-territorial Conflicts, Russian Interests, and the Access to Energy Resources”. In: G. Hauser & F. Kernic (eds.) European security in transition. Aldershot, England ; Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2006.
Nato's partners in the South Caucasus: http://www.nato.int/cps/bu/SID-62ADD0EC-FED2FC0B/natolive/news_89866.htm?selectedLocale=en
Congratulations @fugetaboutit! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPWhile Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh are the regions which have remained a disputed area for hundred of years. All these regions have been used by different powers for their political gains. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been the warring faction for Nagorno -Karabakh. Russia has always sided with Armenia while Azerbaijan has got US. favour. Iran has good relations with Azerbaijan it is trying to influence the country as it had traditionally great relations with them both shared same culture and Zoroastrian religion until the wave of Islam swept through the whole region. Russia on the other hand in the name of Soviet Union exploited the country not only for its geographical location but, also for its natural resources especially its 'oil'. As is the norm your article is great and I am going to resteem it. Thank You,my best friend.
Very true. The region is ripe with geopolitical significance of course, contention for both access to the oil and gas reserves but also the larger - as you indicate, political influence. We see this with the US & Western European influence in what is really Russia/Eurasia territory.