95
do it along the periphery of other parts of China. However, they can act in Central Asia, so
for them it is easy and beneficial. (Author’s interview with Professor Robert Sutter 2017)
Both major oil companies and powerful states with high energy demands will
always seek new energy sources. However, there are three interlocking reasons
which specifically place the Caspian and Central Asia in the limelight (Kubicek
2013:173). The first of these reasons is that since the collapse of the Soviet Union
region, newly independent states, having been poorly invested regions, desperately
sought new technology and capital in order to exploit the potential of their resources.
Secondly, the landlocked Caspian Sea states are dependent on the infrastructure of
neighboring states to transit oil and gas to world markets. Finally, the fledgling
nations were militarily weak and suffered from questions of legitimacy, poor economic output, and civil divisions (Kubicek 2013:172–173). Both Russia and the EU
have major interests in accessing the energy of the Caspian Basin. Russia sees the
region as part of its natural sphere of influence and does in fact play an important
and influential role in all aspects of life in the region. The EU sees the region as a
nearby source of energy to fuel its growing economy. The major current demonstration of this policy is the ongoing construction of the gas pipeline called TAP, which
will complete the connection between natural gas resources in the Caspian (underwater Azerbaijan) through Georgia and Turkey, passing beneath the Bosphorus, to
Greece, onto Albania, and under the Adriatic to Italy, where it will connect with the
European gas grid. This is a major strategic investment for the future of the region,
which the US considers to be consistent with its own interests (Author’s interview
with Ambassador John Maresca 2016).
China’s increasing diplomacy and investments in Central Asia have provided the
main impetus for greater Indian involvement in the region. Many regional states are
interested in expanding economic ties with India as they see business, trade, and
political relations as an opportunity to become a transit corridor for Indian goods to
Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (www.thediplomat.com
2016a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i). However, it is unlikely that India will be in a position to
compete with China’s influence in the region, as many, such as Karen Smith Stegen
and Julia Kusznir, have suggested, the idea being that China and the Caspian states
themselves are set to emerge as winners in the new “Great Game” (Stegen and
Kusznir 2015:102).
Regional Security and Economic Organization and Projects
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
In 2001, the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization” was founded with China,
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan as members. The SCO
is a multilateral organization focused on Central Asia and has been characterized as
a regional forum, security organization, and an anti-terrorism coalition. Another
Regional Security and Economic Organization and Projects
do it along the periphery of other parts of China. However, they can act in Central Asia, so
for them it is easy and beneficial. (Author’s interview with Professor Robert Sutter 2017)
Both major oil companies and powerful states with high energy demands will
always seek new energy sources. However, there are three interlocking reasons
which specifically place the Caspian and Central Asia in the limelight (Kubicek
2013:173). The first of these reasons is that since the collapse of the Soviet Union
region, newly independent states, having been poorly invested regions, desperately
sought new technology and capital in order to exploit the potential of their resources.
Secondly, the landlocked Caspian Sea states are dependent on the infrastructure of
neighboring states to transit oil and gas to world markets. Finally, the fledgling
nations were militarily weak and suffered from questions of legitimacy, poor economic output, and civil divisions (Kubicek 2013:172–173). Both Russia and the EU
have major interests in accessing the energy of the Caspian Basin. Russia sees the
region as part of its natural sphere of influence and does in fact play an important
and influential role in all aspects of life in the region. The EU sees the region as a
nearby source of energy to fuel its growing economy. The major current demonstration of this policy is the ongoing construction of the gas pipeline called TAP, which
will complete the connection between natural gas resources in the Caspian (underwater Azerbaijan) through Georgia and Turkey, passing beneath the Bosphorus, to
Greece, onto Albania, and under the Adriatic to Italy, where it will connect with the
European gas grid. This is a major strategic investment for the future of the region,
which the US considers to be consistent with its own interests (Author’s interview
with Ambassador John Maresca 2016).
China’s increasing diplomacy and investments in Central Asia have provided the
main impetus for greater Indian involvement in the region. Many regional states are
interested in expanding economic ties with India as they see business, trade, and
political relations as an opportunity to become a transit corridor for Indian goods to
Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (www.thediplomat.com
2016a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i). However, it is unlikely that India will be in a position to
compete with China’s influence in the region, as many, such as Karen Smith Stegen
and Julia Kusznir, have suggested, the idea being that China and the Caspian states
themselves are set to emerge as winners in the new “Great Game” (Stegen and
Kusznir 2015:102).
Regional Security and Economic Organization and Projects
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
In 2001, the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization” was founded with China,
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan as members. The SCO
is a multilateral organization focused on Central Asia and has been characterized as
a regional forum, security organization, and an anti-terrorism coalition. Another
Regional Security and Economic Organization and Projects