Abstract
The current fixation with the Caspian Basin's alleged resource bonanza is exaggerating the region's commercial and strategic significance, distorting US foreign-policy calculations and raising the risk of unnecessary contention with other actors, particularly Russia and Iran. The Caspian Basin's oil reserves are significant, but logistic, economic and political hurdles will prevent their speedy development. For the foreseeable future, the Persian Gulf will remain a cheaper, easier and more secure alternative. Rather than focusing on the Caspian 'Great Game', policy-makers should give more careful consideration to the growing ramifications of East Asia's burgeoning dependence on Persian Gulf oil for global security.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
