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Summary
The author endeavors to describe the new geopolitical situation in the Caspian Basin
as well as how these affect emerging developments in the field of energy in Central
Asia, Eurasia, Russia, the Caspian, India, and the Far East. The Caspian Basin occupies a prominent place in the study, and much existing literature offers valuable
insights into the economic, technical, and political developments occurring in the
region. However, this study attempts to close gaps in these by providing a comprehensive analysis of the new energy geopolitics of the Caspian Basin, and the roles
of prominent actors involved. The review of the literature found that due to the onset
of industrialization, the US increasingly felt the need for energy sources abroad thus
labeling such energy-rich regions geopolitically strategic and committing itself to
maintaining security in order to increase the security of supply. All administrations
have worked on this principle, to stabilize the working conditions and the wellbeing of the American electorate. Furthermore, the existence of the role of an Under
Secretary of Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment clearly indicates the great
importance the US Government attaches to the question of energy in its foreign relations US diplomacy has always pursued policies and actions which ensure global
energy security and access to energy by its enterprises and citizens. It is clear from
the above discussion that through the utilization of new and advanced technology,
the US produced shale gas as an unconventional source of energy not only met its
own needs for gas, but also emerge as a gas exporter. The new circumstances have
made the US compete with other fossil fuel producers and thus reduced the relatively high price of oil and, to some extent, gas at the global level. One cannot
ignore the political impacts of unconventional gas in US foreign relations. The
extraction has reduced US dependency on imported fossil fuels, particularly from
the Middle East and Latin America. It has also triggered some concerns, particularly, among US allies in the abovementioned regions, that the new status might lead
to some unsatisfactory policies and positions which would undermine the longstanding US political and military commitments to consult with or support them in
regional affairs.
In the new structure of the international political economy, energy is the Achilles
heel of many industrialized—and rapidly industrializing—regions and countries of
the world, such as the European Union, China, India, Southeast Asia, and North
America, in which there has been no alternative to total dependence on outside suppliers for decades. For this reason, the fluctuations in the production of this strategic
commodity in commercial markets, both in the short run and in the long run, can
challenge the global economy. Meanwhile, the reserves and energy resources of
Central Asia and the Caspian Sea hold much in terms of consumer markets, having
ignited the resumption of the Great Game (Sadeghi 2012:96).
A study of the impact of energy diplomacy on foreign policy in the United States
shows how the country has been able to use energy tools in line with its foreign
policy goals. In the energy field, the US has more capacities, and with membership
to several regional organizations, can attract the cooperation and participation of
Summary
Summary
The author endeavors to describe the new geopolitical situation in the Caspian Basin
as well as how these affect emerging developments in the field of energy in Central
Asia, Eurasia, Russia, the Caspian, India, and the Far East. The Caspian Basin occupies a prominent place in the study, and much existing literature offers valuable
insights into the economic, technical, and political developments occurring in the
region. However, this study attempts to close gaps in these by providing a comprehensive analysis of the new energy geopolitics of the Caspian Basin, and the roles
of prominent actors involved. The review of the literature found that due to the onset
of industrialization, the US increasingly felt the need for energy sources abroad thus
labeling such energy-rich regions geopolitically strategic and committing itself to
maintaining security in order to increase the security of supply. All administrations
have worked on this principle, to stabilize the working conditions and the wellbeing of the American electorate. Furthermore, the existence of the role of an Under
Secretary of Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment clearly indicates the great
importance the US Government attaches to the question of energy in its foreign relations US diplomacy has always pursued policies and actions which ensure global
energy security and access to energy by its enterprises and citizens. It is clear from
the above discussion that through the utilization of new and advanced technology,
the US produced shale gas as an unconventional source of energy not only met its
own needs for gas, but also emerge as a gas exporter. The new circumstances have
made the US compete with other fossil fuel producers and thus reduced the relatively high price of oil and, to some extent, gas at the global level. One cannot
ignore the political impacts of unconventional gas in US foreign relations. The
extraction has reduced US dependency on imported fossil fuels, particularly from
the Middle East and Latin America. It has also triggered some concerns, particularly, among US allies in the abovementioned regions, that the new status might lead
to some unsatisfactory policies and positions which would undermine the longstanding US political and military commitments to consult with or support them in
regional affairs.
In the new structure of the international political economy, energy is the Achilles
heel of many industrialized—and rapidly industrializing—regions and countries of
the world, such as the European Union, China, India, Southeast Asia, and North
America, in which there has been no alternative to total dependence on outside suppliers for decades. For this reason, the fluctuations in the production of this strategic
commodity in commercial markets, both in the short run and in the long run, can
challenge the global economy. Meanwhile, the reserves and energy resources of
Central Asia and the Caspian Sea hold much in terms of consumer markets, having
ignited the resumption of the Great Game (Sadeghi 2012:96).
A study of the impact of energy diplomacy on foreign policy in the United States
shows how the country has been able to use energy tools in line with its foreign
policy goals. In the energy field, the US has more capacities, and with membership
to several regional organizations, can attract the cooperation and participation of
Summary