Natural Gas as an Instrument of Russian State Power (Letort Paper)

Natural Gas as an Instrument of Russian State Power (Letort Paper) PDF Author: Alexander Ghaleb
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781780399850
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description
This monograph is meant to provide an unbiased examination of: the scarcity of natural gas in the contemporary security environment; the salience of natural gas in Russia's national security strategies; and, the natural gas pipeline politics in Eastern and Central Europe. While the tendency of most energy security scholars has been to collectively analyze Europe's dependency on oil and gas, this author analyzes the two energy markets separately, and demonstrates that natural gas is a more potent instrument of coercion in the contemporary security environment than oil was in the traditional security environment. Sufficient evidence is also provided that Russia continues to perceive NATO as a hostile alliance, and that future natural gas disruption by Russia-who holds a monopoly on the supply of natural gas via pipeline to Eastern and Central Europe-will prove deadly to the economies of many NATO member states. The salience of natural gas as an instrument of state power is emphasized in Russia's negotiations with Ukraine; this monograph credits the 2006 and 2009 gas wars between the two nations as the main causes for the failure of the Orange Revolution in Ukraine. Ultimately, today, Russia uses the same tools it used in Ukraine-in the context of natural gas negotiations-to bribe Western European nations; to divide the NATO Alliance; and to rule over its traditional sphere of influence in Eastern and Central Europe. Finally, the author emphasizes that with the Russian construction of Nord Stream and South Stream natural gas pipelines, and unless alternatives to Russian natural gas are found, it is only a matter of time until Russia will use natural gas as an instrument of coercion against NATO member states.

Natural Gas as an Instrument of Russian State Power (Letort Paper)

Natural Gas as an Instrument of Russian State Power (Letort Paper) PDF Author: Alexander Ghaleb
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781780399850
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 164

Get Book Here

Book Description
This monograph is meant to provide an unbiased examination of: the scarcity of natural gas in the contemporary security environment; the salience of natural gas in Russia's national security strategies; and, the natural gas pipeline politics in Eastern and Central Europe. While the tendency of most energy security scholars has been to collectively analyze Europe's dependency on oil and gas, this author analyzes the two energy markets separately, and demonstrates that natural gas is a more potent instrument of coercion in the contemporary security environment than oil was in the traditional security environment. Sufficient evidence is also provided that Russia continues to perceive NATO as a hostile alliance, and that future natural gas disruption by Russia-who holds a monopoly on the supply of natural gas via pipeline to Eastern and Central Europe-will prove deadly to the economies of many NATO member states. The salience of natural gas as an instrument of state power is emphasized in Russia's negotiations with Ukraine; this monograph credits the 2006 and 2009 gas wars between the two nations as the main causes for the failure of the Orange Revolution in Ukraine. Ultimately, today, Russia uses the same tools it used in Ukraine-in the context of natural gas negotiations-to bribe Western European nations; to divide the NATO Alliance; and to rule over its traditional sphere of influence in Eastern and Central Europe. Finally, the author emphasizes that with the Russian construction of Nord Stream and South Stream natural gas pipelines, and unless alternatives to Russian natural gas are found, it is only a matter of time until Russia will use natural gas as an instrument of coercion against NATO member states.

Natural Gas as an Instrument of Russian State Power

Natural Gas as an Instrument of Russian State Power PDF Author: Alexander Ghaleb
Publisher: Strategic Studies Institute U. S. Army War College
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 168

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Book Description
Redefining the scarcity of natural gas in the contemporary security environment -- The salience of natural gas in the emerging geopolitical model of Russia as an energy superstate -- Carrots and sticks : a look at Russia-Ukraine gas pipeline politics -- Divide ut regnes : reflexive control and gas pipeline politics in Eurasia -- Conclusion

Natural Gas as an Instrument of Russian State Power [Enlarged Edition]

Natural Gas as an Instrument of Russian State Power [Enlarged Edition] PDF Author: Alexander Ghaleb
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781304235190
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description


Natural Gas As an Instrument of Russian State Power

Natural Gas As an Instrument of Russian State Power PDF Author: Ion a Iftimie
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781633911390
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 262

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Book Description
"Since the Cold War, Russia has been perceived as a broken nation that no longer represents a threat to the North Atlantic Alliance. This book emphasizes that Russia overcame this major vulnerability by developing the capacity to use unilateral economic sanctions in the form of gas pricing and gas disruptions against many European North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states. It agrees with many scholars and politics alike who fear that Russia will leverage its monopoly of natural gas to gain political concessions. The author suggests it is only a matter of time until Russia will use natural gas as an instrument of coercion to disrupt NATO's decision making process." -Douglas C. Lovelace, Jr. Director, Strategic Studies Institute A former Intelligence Officer, Ion A. Iftimie is an energy security expert with over one decade of successfully advising senior military, business, and government leaders on Eurasian natural gas industry and related national security issues. This is the second, revised edition.

Natural Gas As an Instrument of Russian State Power

Natural Gas As an Instrument of Russian State Power PDF Author: U. S. Army U.S. Army War College
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781503176072
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Book Description
While in the 1980s oil was considered "the only commodity whose sudden cutoff would have a drastic effect on national welfare or on economic activity," the 2030s come with the image of a world in which the sudden cutoff of Russian gas to Europe will have similar disastrous effects on the economies of many European and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states. This monograph argues that Russian control of the natural gas supplies and of the export infrastructure systems of natural gas to Europe gives tremendous leverage to Russia in imposing its national security policy. If in the traditional security environment the use of military force was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic's (USSR) preferred method of political coercion, in the contemporary security environment Russia is struggling with a weaker military that no longer represents a threat to the North Atlantic Alliance. This book emphasizes that Russia overcame this major vulnerability by developing the capacity to use unilateral economic sanctions in the form of gas pricing and gas disruptions against many European NATO member states. It agrees with many scholars and politicians alike who fear that Russia will leverage its monopoly of natural gas to gain political concessions; and it supports the viewpoint that "Russia's energy-centered foreign policy is not limited to the states of the former Soviet Union and is clearly designed to increase its leverage in key geostrategic theaters and over United States allies." While Russian officials insist that these fears are overblown, skeptics believe that "if there were a serious enough dispute, the Russians might do just that [use its energy security leverage against NATO member states]." The concerns of these skeptics cannot be dismissed without an unbiased examination of the scarcity of natural gas in the contemporary security environment, of the salience of natural gas in Russia's national security strategies, and of the natural gas pipeline politics in Eastern and Central Europe. To address these questions, the monograph has been separated into four chapters. Chapter 1 will demonstrate that like oil in the traditional security environment, under certain conditions, natural gas can serve as an effective unilateral instrument of state power in the contemporary security environment, and that its disruption by Russia will prove deadly to the economies of many NATO member states in Eastern and Central Europe (traditionally, Russia's sphere of influence). Chapter 2 will explain why Russia perceives NATO as a hostile alliance, and how Russia uses natural gas as an instrument of coercion in its sphere of influence. In Chapter 3, a look at Russia's use of natural gas as a national security instrument of coercion in negotiations with Ukraine will help energy security analysts determine the conditions under which Russia will leverage its energy superpower position in its relations with European Union (EU) and/or NATO member states. Additionally, a look at Russia's failures in the use of such coercion in Ukraine will assist NATO member states in Eastern and Central Europe to identify ways to reduce the threat of disruption of Russian gas supplies. Finally, Chapter 4 will expose the processes Russia uses in the context of natural gas negotiations to bribe Western European nations-such as Germany, France, and Italy-to divide the NATO Alliance, and to rule over its traditional sphere of influence in Eastern and Central Europe.

The Russian Federation

The Russian Federation PDF Author: Meghan B. Morgan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Energy policy
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Book Description
The European Union relies on a mixture of energy supplies to meet its energy demands, but the most contentious is its reliance on Russian energy. Russia currently supplies almost thirty percent of the European Union's natural gas energy needs, and each country in the European Union is dependent on Russian natural gas to a different extent. In recent years there have been charges made against Russia that it wields its natural gas supplies as an "energy weapon" against its customers. What exactly is an "energy weapon?" How can it be wielded by one country against another? Is it uniformly used against all Russian customers? This thesis will 1) cite examples of historical uses of energy in the international arena, 2) explain each side of the debate surrounding Russia's use or nonuse of energy as a weapon or tool of statecraft, 3) examine Russia's stated energy policy and how it applies to various countries, 4) look at European alternatives to Russian natural gas for its energy needs, and 5) examine the factors that could influence Europe's continued reliance or rejection of Russian natural gas to meet its future energy requirements. The European Union has alternative energy options than relying on Russian natural gas, but outside factors will influence the future of each country's energy policies as the European Union does not currently have a unified energy policy. Russia has and will continue to exploit the divided energy policies' of the European Union while employing energy as an instrument of state power.

Europe's Dependence on Russian Natural Gas

Europe's Dependence on Russian Natural Gas PDF Author: Marshall European Center for Security Studies
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781982927998
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 70

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Book Description
This paper argues that the European Union must take decisive action to diversify its future energy needs away from Russian natural gas. Paradoxically, the EU's energy policy is more strategically forward-thinking and global community-minded than that of any major power, while at the same time it is mired in the parochialism of the different views of its member states. Admirably, it is the world's spokesperson for a rational policy that concerns itself with not only global climate change, but also the need for a long-term gradual weaning from hydrocarbons to renewable sources of energy. Unfortunately, the strategy of some member states to meet energy needs over the next 30-40 years, during what will be a likely be a dramatic transition period in the evolution of energy technology, seems to be based on the premise that Russia is not only mutually dependent on its European partners, but also will continue to act in a reliable manner and not exploit its increasing monopoly position, particularly in the natural gas markets. This would be an unwise policy to follow, even if Russia were the most liberal of democracies. Given Russia's uncertain future, and the demonstrated fact that it has been systematically reorganizing the entire Eurasian gas market from production all the way down to local distribution under its state-controlled agent, Gazprom, it is totally unrealistic to expect benign treatment from such a monopoly. Topics and subjects covered include: Gazprom, Putin, Ukraine, Sakhalin, Nord Stream, Rosneft, Yukos, RosUkrEnergo, Pipelines, LNG, NEGP The European Union 27 currently rely on Russia for almost 38% of their imported natural gas; this dependency will become significantly greater if European states implement their currently formulated energy policies. With plans to phase out nuclear power in several European countries, the EU goal to reduce coal consumption thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and the depletion of domestic sources of gas, reliance on Russia will rise to 50 to 60% of all gas imports within the next two decades if different energy policies are not adopted. The EU and greater Europe will soon find themselves in an extremely dangerous position due to the ever-increasing dependence on Russian natural gas. These countries must work together now to produce a coherent diversification strategy. Chapter 1 - Russian and the European Natural Gas Market * Introduction * Why Natural Gas is so critical in the Energy Mix * Fragmentation of Pricing and the European Natural Gas Market * Europe's Increasing Reliance on Imported Hydrocarbons * Europe's Energy Dependence on Russia * The Effect on the European Market of Opening Pipelines to China * Russian Gas versus Oil * The Possibility of a Gas Cartel * Chapter 2 - Gazprom and the Russian Strategy * Gazprom * Putin, Politics, and Gazprom * Ukraine - An Example * Permission to Monopolize the Market * Sakhalin 2 * Kovykta * Gazprom's Distribution Portfolio and the Energy Charter * Russian Imperial Thinking * Chapter 3 - Counter Arguments * China - Not a Desirable Partner * A New Energy Source * Control of Central Asian Gas Supplies to Europe * Russia will not Produce * Chapter 4 - Recommendations * Diversification of Gas Imports - Pipelines: * The Nord Stream as an Example of the EU's Lack of Solidarity * A Trans Caspian Sea Gas Pipeline * Pipelines from North Africa * Diversification of Gas Imports - LNG * Diversification of Types of Energy * Renewables * Nuclear Power * "Clean Coal" and other New Technologies * Investment in Power Generation outside the EU * Conclusions

Power, Energy, and the New Russian Imperialism

Power, Energy, and the New Russian Imperialism PDF Author: Anita Orban
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 0313352232
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
Russia is the world's foremost energy superpower, rivaling Saudi Arabia as the world's largest oil producer and accounting for a quarter of the world's exports of natural gas. Russia's energy reserves account for half of the world's probable oil reserves and a third of the world's proven natural gas reserves. Whereas military might and nuclear weapons formed the core of Soviet cold war power, since 1991 the Russian state has viewed its monopolistic control of Russia's energy resources as the core of its power now and for the future. Since 2005, the international news has been filled with Russia's repeated demonstrations of its readiness to use price, transit fees, and supply of gas and oil exports as punitive policy instruments against recalcitrant states that were formerly part of the Soviet Union, striking in turn the Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, and Lithuania. Orban reveals for the first time in Power, Energy, and the New Russian Imperialism Russia's readiness to wield the same energy weapon against her neighbors on the west, all of them former Soviet satellite states but now EU and NATO member nations: the three Baltic nations and the five East European nations of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia. Orban shows how the Kremlin since 1991 has systematically used Russian energy companies as players in a concerted neo-mercantilist, energy-based foreign policy designed to further Russia's neo-imperial ambitions among America's key allies in Central East Europe. Her unprecedented analysis is key to predicting Russia's strategic response to American negotiations with Poland and the Czech Republic to host the US missile shield. She also reveals the economic and diplomatic modus operandi by which Russia will increasingly apply its energy clout to shape and coerce the foreign policies of the West European members of the EU, as Russia's contribution to EU gas consumption increases from a quarter today to three-quarters by 2020. Orban proves that Russia's neo-mercantilist energy strategy in East Europe is not at all dependent on the person of Putin, but began under Yeltsin and continues under Medvedev, the former chairman of Gazprom.

The Globalization of Russian Gas

The Globalization of Russian Gas PDF Author: James Henderson
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1789900387
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 243

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Book Description
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Gazprom has dominated the Russian gas industry. However, the markets in which it operates have changed dramatically, with the company increasingly being challenged at home and abroad. At this critical moment, this insightful book analyses the involvement of the Russian gas industry in the changing international gas market and the dramatic implications for Russia’s role as a global supplier of gas in the future.

The Bridge

The Bridge PDF Author: Thane Gustafson
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674987950
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 521

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Book Description
Europe and Russia are pushing against each other in a contest of economic doctrines and political ambitions, seemingly erasing the vision of cooperation that emerged from the end of the Cold War. Thane Gustafson argues that natural gas serves as a bridge over troubled geopolitical waters, uniting the region through common economic interests.