CASPIAN SEA REGION: GREAT POWERS’ COOPERATION

Abstract

The principal aim of this thesis is to evaluate the strategic importance of the ―Caspian Sea‖ region and littoral states as a whole and interests of ―Great Powers‖ in the region in particular, within the theoretical framework of ―Neo-realism‖ and ―Neo-liberalism‖. The work shows Central Asia as an area of the ―New Great Game‖ and an analogue of the original ―Great Game‖, which was played out between the British Empire and Tsarist Russia in the 19th century. The parallels between the two eras are drawn in order to understand the scope and the true intentions of the ―Great Powers‖ as well as regional stakeholders. The thesis not only explores the security issues of hydrocarbon energy in the Caspian Sea, littoral states, and Central Asian region, but also analyses the evidence of cooperation by means of various agreements and treaties among great powers and the regional actors as a viable future strategy. Furthermore, the indirect purpose of the thesis is to examine whether the international system has changed from that of the two centuries ago by comparing the structure of the international systems at the time of two games. ―Neo-liberal Institutionalism‖, being crystalised by the US, China, EU, and Russia in and around Caspian Sea for sharing of hydrocarbon reserves, serves as a framework for analytical elaboration. Case studies revealed strong evidence leading towards harmonisation and cooperation within the Caspian region among great powers, littoral, and Central Asian states. The strategic interests of the regional xiv powers in Central Asia are described and analysed with significant help of theoretical part. By comparison of the location, players, means, and goals with the ―New Great Game‖, the validity of the concept is verified and, consequently, applied to the Caspian Sea case. On the basis of theoretical and methodological parts, the observed findings are drawn and analysed, which in turn provide us with reasonable conclusions on the issue. The central perspectives of the great powers, i.e. the US, EU, China, and Russia were analysed in-depth, and supplemented by evidence taken out from roles of littoral and Central Asian states. Subsequently, possible conclusions and predictions were made. Lastly, this work provides a detailed study for one part of geopolitics in one region at one time; thereby conclusions drawn are to be taken as actual only for one region and not for the discipline as a whole.