Outcomes and strategies in the ‘New Great Game’: China and the Caspian states emerge as winners

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe decades-long struggle for control over oil and natural gas resources, infrastructure and influence in the Caspian region has been referred to as the 'New Great Game', with Europe, China, the US and Russia typically cited as the main combatants. We explore recent developments and aver that, if present trends continue, Europe will have access to Azerbaijan's resources, China to those of the East Caspian states, the US will stay commercially and strategically engaged, and Russia's influence will (continue to) diminish. How did this unexpected turn of events arise? We examine China's dominance and argue that the foreign policies of the US and Russia e within the region and even further abroad e have inadvertently driven the East Caspian states and China towards each other. Wary of potential maritime chokepoints in the Pacific, China feels strongly compelled to shore up resources and influence in the Caspian region. In part because of Russia's intransigence regarding the Caspian Sea's status, the East Caspian states e faced with constrained access to the West e have turned to China as an alternative market and counterbalance to Russia.

The Natural Gas Conundrum Transformation of the Central Asian Energy Security Complex after 1991

“…Many authors, such as Alexander Cooley, 253 Andrey Kazantsev, 254 and Julia Kusznir 255 have warned that Central Asia faces a new round in the "great game" for control of its natural resources. However, most of them perceived the West and Russia as the main contenders.…”

Post-partum Dönemdeki Kadınlarda Sosyo-Ekonomik Durumun Depresyonla Olan İlişkisi

“…The TRACECA project includes the Silk Wind initiative for the construction of the high-speed train railways between European countries, Caucasus and Central Asia, the development of the technology used in the transportation or communication between countries, and simplifications of custom trade procedures (Fedorenko, 2013). Another important project supported by the EU is the Viking Railroad, which is a railway project aimed at linking Scandinavia to China via Central Asia, creating new trade opportunities and developing current political relations amongst those states (Stegen and Kusznir, 2015). As mentioned above, the EU has hardly recognised the importance of the region.…”

“…Undoubtedly, the most critical aspect is shaping perceptions, beliefs and choices, because in doing so one could have enough power to dominate the power dynamics (Stegen and Kusznir, 2015). China has increased its global prestige by using 'soft power' in its diplomatic relations and spreading its Confucius Institutes to the world (Nye, 2004).…”

Trump’s “America first” energy policy, contingency and the reconfiguration of the global energy order

“…Orttung and Overland, 2011). This has translated into concrete policy solutions centered on the advocacy of alternative pipeline routes that bypass Russia in the 1990s (Smith Stegen and Kusznir, 2015). The US pushed for or provided diplomatic support for the expansion of Caspian energy projectsnotably the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipelineas a solution to Russian monopolization of gas supplies to European markets.…”