The Energy Diplomacy Of The United States,China,and Russia In The Caspian Region In The Era Of 'Great Power Competition'(1991-2019)

At the turn of the new 21 st century,the Caspian states – especially Kazakhstan,Turkmenistan,and Azerbaijan which are rich in oil and natural gas – have emerged as an important center of energy reserves,and also have become the stage of increased ‘great-power competition' between Russia,China,and the United States.To compete for access to these enormous resources in a pragmatic manner,the major powers found it increasingly necessary to justify their ambitions with their ideological values as well.Accordingly,the United States brought the platform of liberal democracy and human rights;China posed as a ‘non-ideological' ‘responsible state,' and Russia proffered its idea of Eurasianism in the region.The current research work analyzes the effort and mode projected by the United States,China,and Russia and scrutinizes the interplay between their ideological values and energy interests.Even though the degree of acceptance of American,Chinese,and Russian ideological values projected in the region varies,their penetration in the energy sphere is profound and significant.The United States not only secured a consistent supply of Kazakhstani and Azerbaijani oil and gas for itself but also enabled the energy flow to its allies like the EU and Israel.Despite being the latecomer,China has managed to acquire a quarter of Kazakhstani oil and replaced Russia as the principal buyer of Turkmen gas.Owning substantial stakes in Kazakh,Turkmen,and Azerbaijani oil and gas industry,Russia was able to preserve power influencing major energy decisions in the Caspian region.