33
geologists and oil engineers. The “New Great Game” is thus not so much a battle of
physical geography, but control of the oil fields and pipelines of Central Asia
(Kleveman 2004:25).
Ahmed Mahdi maintains that the dominating position of the US in the international arena is closely linked to its capacity to control the energy sources and transit
routes and other strategic material suppliers, which are also needed and sought by
other leading industrial states. Thus, the United States is forced to seek a superior
status in Eurasia, and to seek ways to prevent other states from establishing supremacy in the area. The primary energy project that the US initiated in the areas was the
BTC pipeline. There were several reasons why the US government supported this
project: First of all, this pipeline would not run through Iran and Russia, both of
whom were not influenced by the US; secondly, it was a profitable project for companies as the construction cost was estimated to be $3.6 billion; thirdly, the project
would be a means for further promotion of Washington’s political and economic
impact in the East, including the Caspian Basin; in addition, oil would be secured
by Israel also by means of the BTC; and finally, it would be beneficial for Turkey’s
economy as well (Mahdi 2012:104–105).
According to Christoph Bluth, the international system in Central Asia, Caucasus,
and Caspian Basin are now in flux; and he describes the situation as thus:
1. International terrorism is now at the center of the international security agenda.
The involvement of major powers, especially the United States, in the region
likely for foreseeable. States are now competing for US military and financial
support.
2. Russia hitherto considered Central Asia to be in its sphere of national interest.
This policy was directed at preventing Russian interests, such as border security,
the interests of ethnic Russians and economic assets, including over energy
resources, while keeping out potential rivals such as China, Turkey, Iran or the
United States.
3. In spite of such developments on the international front, the main threat to
regional stability is internal—economic and political. On the economic front, the
lack of economic development and the economic downturn since the dissolution
of the Soviet Union and the resulting social problems are significant. On the
political front, the internal ethnic and political tensions in states whose identities
and institutions have not found new form since the Soviet collapse play an
important role…. The failure of the Caspian governments to effectively promote
economic and political development and prevent substantial economic and social
dislocation needs to be addressed if the influence of Islamic groups is to be
mitigated.
4. Economic performance and governmental economic policies are crucially
important for the Caspian Sea region when estimating the dynamics of human
development opportunities. Economic growth would not in itself guarantee better living standards, a greater number of choices or a more secure existence for
most of the population.
Literature on the Region
geologists and oil engineers. The “New Great Game” is thus not so much a battle of
physical geography, but control of the oil fields and pipelines of Central Asia
(Kleveman 2004:25).
Ahmed Mahdi maintains that the dominating position of the US in the international arena is closely linked to its capacity to control the energy sources and transit
routes and other strategic material suppliers, which are also needed and sought by
other leading industrial states. Thus, the United States is forced to seek a superior
status in Eurasia, and to seek ways to prevent other states from establishing supremacy in the area. The primary energy project that the US initiated in the areas was the
BTC pipeline. There were several reasons why the US government supported this
project: First of all, this pipeline would not run through Iran and Russia, both of
whom were not influenced by the US; secondly, it was a profitable project for companies as the construction cost was estimated to be $3.6 billion; thirdly, the project
would be a means for further promotion of Washington’s political and economic
impact in the East, including the Caspian Basin; in addition, oil would be secured
by Israel also by means of the BTC; and finally, it would be beneficial for Turkey’s
economy as well (Mahdi 2012:104–105).
According to Christoph Bluth, the international system in Central Asia, Caucasus,
and Caspian Basin are now in flux; and he describes the situation as thus:
1. International terrorism is now at the center of the international security agenda.
The involvement of major powers, especially the United States, in the region
likely for foreseeable. States are now competing for US military and financial
support.
2. Russia hitherto considered Central Asia to be in its sphere of national interest.
This policy was directed at preventing Russian interests, such as border security,
the interests of ethnic Russians and economic assets, including over energy
resources, while keeping out potential rivals such as China, Turkey, Iran or the
United States.
3. In spite of such developments on the international front, the main threat to
regional stability is internal—economic and political. On the economic front, the
lack of economic development and the economic downturn since the dissolution
of the Soviet Union and the resulting social problems are significant. On the
political front, the internal ethnic and political tensions in states whose identities
and institutions have not found new form since the Soviet collapse play an
important role…. The failure of the Caspian governments to effectively promote
economic and political development and prevent substantial economic and social
dislocation needs to be addressed if the influence of Islamic groups is to be
mitigated.
4. Economic performance and governmental economic policies are crucially
important for the Caspian Sea region when estimating the dynamics of human
development opportunities. Economic growth would not in itself guarantee better living standards, a greater number of choices or a more secure existence for
most of the population.
Literature on the Region