Geopolitics and Energy Security in the Wider Black Sea Region

Abstract

This article explores the links between geopolitics and energy security in the Black Sea region. Geopolitical factors are important given the location of energy resources and the difficulties faced in transporting this energy to European markets. These issues impact on the foreign policies of interested states. The position of Russia as a significant energy producer, key transit state and major strategic player is considered. The potential and actual roles of the other Black Sea littoral states as energy transit states are examined, and the increasing interests of the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in the region are discussed.

Notes

[1] In this article, with its focus on energy security, the ‘wider Black Sea region’ refers to the six Black Sea littoral states (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine) and key states in the southern Caucasus and western Caspian (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan).

[2] The original wording of Mackinder (1962 [1919]: 150) reads: ‘Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland; Who rules the Heartland commands the World‐Island; Who rules the World‐Island commands the World.’

[3] See ⟨http://www.botas.gov.tr/eng/naturalgas/ng_trade.asp⟩.

[4] In August 2006, Kurdish guerrillas targeted the Iran‐Turkey natural gas pipeline in Turkey’s Agri province.