Towards the Control of Oil Resources in the Caspian Region

"This book provides an introduction to the current struggle for control of the energy reserves in the Caspian region (Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan). An intense competition has arisen between the following various actors for control of these energy reserves: the advanced industrialized countries (especially the United States, and Europe) and their backed Transnational Corporations on the one hand, and the main regional powers (Russia, Turkey, Iran, and also China and Pakistan) on the other. This struggle is a characteristic of the post-Cold War competition for the control and security of the most needed natural resources, oil and gas, which are concentrated in only a few regions in the world. This makes the Caspian region one of the most important geo-political areas in the post-Cold War era." "This introductory book is written to meet the needs of undergraduate students interested in post-Soviet politics in Central Asia and Caucasus and is suitable for the general public interested in the contemporary politics of this area."--Jacket.