Geopolitical Interests in the Black Sea / Caspian Region

Abstract

Abstract : After the Cold War, the region between the Black and Caspian Seas became a strategic corridor between Europe, the Middle East, North and Central Asia, in fact a crossroad of energy corridors. The area's huge resources in natural gas and oil (according to some estimates 3 percent of total world proven reserves) have increased the interests of the major actors. The U. S. and the E.U. on the one hand and Russia on the other hand, but also Turkey, Israel and even Iran have sought to redefine their strategy in the region and to win advantage against their opponents. Russian foreign policy has become more radical and active in the last few years and Moscow seeks to reaffirm the status-quo in this zone. The E.U. is currently too weak to counterbalance the advance of Russia in the region and the U.S seems to be fully engaged in Afghanistan and in the Persian Gulf zone. This paper will analyze the interest of the major actors in the region between the Black and Caspian Seas and will suggest what the United States could do to help sustain a favorable balance in the region.