51
of economic rather than military instruments to reach the desired targets. Even
though there will inevitably be some difficulties experienced occasionally by
specific enterprises, such an outcome would be completely compatible with the
primary goals of America’s post-Soviet policy
Russia’s Political Economy
Excessive dependence on energy sources in GDP and overemphasis on the European
gas market has put Russia in serious danger of economic and security stability.
Accordingly, if there is a significant fluctuation in world oil and gas prices (as in the
2009 financial crisis), this strength could turn into a reverse factor, not only the
Achilles’ heel of the Russian economy but the whole process of modernization.
With this in mind, if Russia does not take any action to modernize its economy as
the most efficient display of soft power, then not only does the strategy not turn into
a great power, but in the face of increasing international competition, the loss of its
current position is not far from mind (Karimi Pour et al. 2017:192).
The high capacity of Russia’s geopolitics, along with huge reserves and access to
major consumption markets in Asia and Europe, with a vast transit network, has
created a high capacity for Russia to strengthen its international position with the
help of energy. In fact, Russia has considerable potential for enhancing its status
through energy. Its purpose is to use energy diplomacy in foreign policy in the short
term to restore its influence over the former Soviet republics and the countries of
Eastern and Central Europe and to reverse their trend of further convergence with
Western structures and NATO, and in the long term undermine US influence on the
continent. The Kremlin’s strategy for controlling energy sources and its transmission lines in Eurasia and turning the country into an exclusive source of energy and
pulse control of the Western economy can, in the long run, be a significant balance
of power over Europe’s security. In fact, Russia, especially from the second term of
Putin’s presidency, has tried to strengthen its position as a major power in international politics by using various leverage, especially energy, while restoring economic infrastructure. This process has led to today’s major energy determinants of
Russia’s shift from an undeveloped superpower to a hegemonic player, at least in
the area of global energy policy (Karimi Pour et al. 2017:197).
Russia Energy Policy
Russia’s political decision-makers see energy resources as useful in terms of both
wealth production and a tool to increase Russia’s global prominence. Before Putin
came to power as prime minister, he had already set forth such a policy in his doctoral dissertation; “Mineral Natural Resources in the Strategy of Development of
Russia
of economic rather than military instruments to reach the desired targets. Even
though there will inevitably be some difficulties experienced occasionally by
specific enterprises, such an outcome would be completely compatible with the
primary goals of America’s post-Soviet policy
Russia’s Political Economy
Excessive dependence on energy sources in GDP and overemphasis on the European
gas market has put Russia in serious danger of economic and security stability.
Accordingly, if there is a significant fluctuation in world oil and gas prices (as in the
2009 financial crisis), this strength could turn into a reverse factor, not only the
Achilles’ heel of the Russian economy but the whole process of modernization.
With this in mind, if Russia does not take any action to modernize its economy as
the most efficient display of soft power, then not only does the strategy not turn into
a great power, but in the face of increasing international competition, the loss of its
current position is not far from mind (Karimi Pour et al. 2017:192).
The high capacity of Russia’s geopolitics, along with huge reserves and access to
major consumption markets in Asia and Europe, with a vast transit network, has
created a high capacity for Russia to strengthen its international position with the
help of energy. In fact, Russia has considerable potential for enhancing its status
through energy. Its purpose is to use energy diplomacy in foreign policy in the short
term to restore its influence over the former Soviet republics and the countries of
Eastern and Central Europe and to reverse their trend of further convergence with
Western structures and NATO, and in the long term undermine US influence on the
continent. The Kremlin’s strategy for controlling energy sources and its transmission lines in Eurasia and turning the country into an exclusive source of energy and
pulse control of the Western economy can, in the long run, be a significant balance
of power over Europe’s security. In fact, Russia, especially from the second term of
Putin’s presidency, has tried to strengthen its position as a major power in international politics by using various leverage, especially energy, while restoring economic infrastructure. This process has led to today’s major energy determinants of
Russia’s shift from an undeveloped superpower to a hegemonic player, at least in
the area of global energy policy (Karimi Pour et al. 2017:197).
Russia Energy Policy
Russia’s political decision-makers see energy resources as useful in terms of both
wealth production and a tool to increase Russia’s global prominence. Before Putin
came to power as prime minister, he had already set forth such a policy in his doctoral dissertation; “Mineral Natural Resources in the Strategy of Development of
Russia