Russian Energy Power and Foreign Relations Implications for Conflict and Cooperation CSS Studies in Security and International Relations Series

This book examines Russia's new assertiveness and the role of energy as a key factor in shaping the country's behavior in international relations, and in building political and economic power domestically, since the 1990s.

Energy transformed Russia's fortunes after its decline during the 1990s. The wealth generated from energy exports sparked economic recovery and political stabilization, and has significantly contributed to Russia's assertiveness as a great power. Energy has been a key factor in shaping Russia's foreign relations in both the Eurasian and global context. This development raises a host of questions for both Russia and the West about the stability of the Russian economy, how Russia will use the power it gains from its energy wealth, and how the West should react to Russia's new-found political weight.

Given that energy is likely to remain at the top of the global political agenda for some time to come, and Russia's role as a key energy supplier to Europe is unlikely to diminish soon, this book sheds light on one of the key security concerns of the 21st century: where is Russia headed and how does energy affect the changing dynamics of Russia's relations with Europe, the US and the Asia-Pacific region.

This book will be of interest to students of Russian politics, energy security, international relations and foreign policy in general.

Jeronim Perovic is a senior researcher at the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich. Robert Orttung is a visiting scholar at the Center for Security Studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich and a senior fellow at the Jefferson Institute. Andreas Wenger is professor of international security policy and director of the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich.

Part 1: Introduction 1. Russian Energy Power: Domestic and International Dimensions Jeronim Perovic Part 2: The Domestic Dimension of Russian Energy 2. The Sustainability of Russia’s Energy Power: Implications for Russia’s Economy Philip Hanson 3. Energy and State-Society Relations: Socio-Political Aspects of Russia’s Energy Wealth Robert Orttung 4. Developing Russia’s Oil and Gas Industry: What Role for the State? Heiko Pleines Part 3: Russia's Role in International Energy Markets 5. Russia’s Key Customer: Europe Stacy Closson 6. Russia’s Role in the Eurasian Energy Market: Seeking Control in the Face of Growing Challenges Julia Nanay 7. Russia’s Future Customers: Asia and Beyond Nina Poussenkova Part 4: International Policies Towards Russia 8. European Perspectives for Managing Dependence Pami Aalto 9. US Energy Policy and the Former Soviet Union: Parallel Tracks Peter Rutland 10. Chinese Perspectives on Russian Oil and Gas Indra Øverland and Kyrre Elvenes Braekhus Part 5: Conclusion 11. Russia’s Energy Power: Implications for Europe and for Transatlantic Cooperation Andreas Wenger

Jeronim Perovic is a senior researcher at the Institute of History at the University of Basel and a visiting scholar at the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich.

Robert W. Orttung is a visiting scholar at the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich and a senior fellow at the Jefferson Institute.

Andreas Wenger is professor of international security policy and director of the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich.