Energy geopolitics in the Caucasus and Central Asia

The book elaborates the nature of the relations between energy producing states and energy consuming states, by focusing on the Caspian basin and on the examination of two cases studies, of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Their interaction with major actors involved in the region, either regional (Russia, China) or international (USA) players, characterized by competition, or cooperation, or both, concerning energy geopolitics in the Caucasus and Central Asia is the main concept behind our research. However, this work will come in handy due to the examination of the influence that natural resources have in the foreign policy of both states, taking into consideration, apart from the fact that they are 'blessed' with oil and gas, three very important elements: the geographical location of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan (both landlocked), the role of their political leadership in the making of foreign policy, and the effect of the clan politics.

Autorentext
Andreas Marazis is an independent researcher.Till 2015 worked as junior researcher for FRIDE,a Spanish Think Tank.He holds a MLitt in Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asian Security Studies(University of St.Andrews) and a MA in Black Sea Cultural Studies(International Hellenic University).His research is concerned with the post-Soviet space.