A U.S. Regional Strategy for the Caspian Sea Basin
Abstract
Geopolitics has become a dominant factor in American policy once again. The Caspian Sea basin has not yet been designated a "pivotal region" by American strategists. However, a region with oil and natural gas fields larger than those discovered three decades ago in the North Sea and on Alaska's North Slope, one that potentially has reserves greater than Kuwait, will undoubtedly rise in importance. U.S. government policy on the Caspian basin clearly highlights access to the region and energy security. Ensuring U.S. corporate lead on development of the region's resources and nullifying Russian and Iranian influence on oil field exploration and development and pipeline export routes form the basis of this policy. The Caspian basin alone may not hold enough reserves to warrant being labeled a "pivotal region" by strategists. Nonetheless, the combined Middle East-Central Asia "energy field" contains the single largest concentration of hydrocarbon reserves in the world and warrants U.S. attention, if nothing else. In order to maintain influence in the Caspian basin, the U.S., must engage the regional heads of state, work cooperatively with U.S. industry, advance U.S. military cooperation, and all the while, address the complex challenges of access and energy security.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 17, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA372768
Entities
People
- Adrian W. Burke
Organizations
- Naval War College