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Contemporary Russian Black Sea Geo-strategic Environment Research

Posted on:2012-06-22Degree:DoctorType:Dissertation
Country:ChinaCandidate:D LiuFull Text:PDF
GTID:1116330335985498Subject:International relations
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
In the history, Russia was not a country that bordered the Black Sea. But since the rule of the Emperor Peter, there have been inseparable ties between Russia and the Black Sea. To Encroach on Turkey, usurp the estuaries of the Black Sea, invade the Balkans and control the sea-lanes between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, became the targets of all the Tsars after Peter the Great. From late 19th century to early 20th century, the Black Sea issue was a part of the East issue. During that period, the powers'rivalry in the Black Sea escalated, and Britain became Russia's main rival in the region. The result of the Crimean War was the neutralization of the Black Sea, meaning that Russia lost its dominant power in the Black Sea. After that, Russia committed itself to changing this situation.After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the geopolitical environment Russia faces in the Black Sea has undergone great transformation. The number of the countries that border the Black Sea increases from four to six, and the Sea was no longer dominated by Russia and Turkey. Russia, Ukraine and Georgia used to be integrated in one country, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the latter two move away from Russia and adopt a pro-western policy. Turkey, who is an old member of the NATO, actively seeks to join the EU. Romania and Bulgaria, who are already EU and NATO members, try to strike a balance between Russia and the West, in order to maximize their own interests. The problem that Russia faces now is that it lacks allies in the region. The eastward expansion of both NATO and EU has condensed Russia's strategic space. America's active interruption in the Black Sea issue has greatly influenced the regional situations. The competition and clashes among the Western civilization, the Islamic civilization and the Orthodox civilization, further complicate the geopolitical situations in the region. Russia is now trapped in an unprecedented dilemma, and its national security is facing great challenges. To cope with these challenges, Russia tries to play an important role in the region by utilizing the Black Sea Economic Cooperation to integrate the regional resources. It tries to expand its influence by using the energy weapon to conduct the energy diplomacy. It tries to resist the expansion of the Western civilization by reinforcing the dominant role of the Orthodox-Slav civilization in the Black Sea region.The Black Sea region has a strategic position in Russia's national security. It is the important porch for Russia to access the Mediterranean Sean and the Indian Ocean, an important barrier to ensure the security and stability of the Southwest Caucasus, a vital energy base and corridor, and a rampart to prevent the eastward expansion of the NATO and to protect Russia's traditional sphere of influence in the Balkans. The disintegration of the Soviet Union weakens Russia's role in the Black Sea region. Driven by geo-political and economic concerns, the NATO headed by America and the increasingly integrated EU, will seek to expand their influence in this region. Russia has both real and potential interests in the region. The Black Sea region is the core base for Russia to re-emerge, and the important platform for it to fulfill its great power dream.
Keywords/Search Tags:Russia, the Black Sea region, geopolitics, stratage environment, interests, game
PDF Full Text Request
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