國
立 政 治 大 學
‧
N a tio na
l C h engchi U ni ve rs it y
Chart 4-3: A Chronology of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
Source: Compiled by author
4.2.4.3.6 The SCO as an Alternative Mechanism for Russia
Russia also utilizes the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to strengthen its energy cooperation with Central Asian countries. On June 15th, 2006 Russia's president proposed the creation of an energy club within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and this initiative has received positive responses from all concerned.
In addition to the aforementioned mechanisms, Russia also utilizes the Shanghai Cooperation
‧
Organization to strengthen its energy cooperation with Central Asian countries. On June 15th, 2006 Russia's president proposed the creation of an energy club within the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization and this initiative has received positive responses from all concerned. 214 If this Shanghai Cooperation Organization energy club can be established, then its energy-exporting countries (Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran) and
energy-consuming countries (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, China, and observers like India, etc.) will all join and benefit. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states and observer countries’ oil reserves and production account for 20% of the world’s total (OPEC accounts for 30%), and its natural gas reserves and production account for 43% of the world total reserves. It is easy to see that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization energy club will have a significant impact on international strategic circumstances regarding energy. 215
4.2.4.3.7 Russian-Iranian Relations
After NATO’s expansion, Iran has become a potential ally of Russia to maintain mutual influence in Central Asia. Russian-Iranian joint efforts can reduce the pressure of American geopolitical measures curbing US influence in Central Asia.
After NATO’s expansion, Iran has become a potential ally of Russia to maintain mutual influence in Central Asia. Russian-Iranian joint efforts can reduce the pressure of American geopolitical measures curbing US influence in Central Asia. Regarding the issues of energy development in Central Asia, Russia and Iran advocate that Caspian countries jointly develop the Caspian Sea, and that foreign countries have no right to intervene. For their part the Iranians have taken the initiative to counter the US, Russia, and Kazakhstan for more control of the energy resources coming from Central Asia, as Turkmenistan and Iran have negotiated the construction of a natural gas pipeline to transit through Iran. 216
214 “Russia's President Putin proposes SCO "energy club,”” RiaNovosti News Agency, Jun 15, 2006, available at:
http://en.ria.ru/world/20060615/49512082.html, (accessed: 20140315).
215 吳賢煜大學碩士論文清雲科技，「中國與俄羅斯在哈薩克斯坦之能源競逐」， (桃園：2010 年 6
月) ，頁 54。[Wu, Hsienyu. Zhongguo Yu Eluosi Zai Hasakesitan Zhi Nengyuan Jingzhu (China and Russia’s energy competition in Kazakhstan), unpublished thesis, Ching Yun University (Taoyuan: June 2010), pp. 54.]
216 Brzezinski, Zbigniew, The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy and Its Geostrategic Imperatives (New York: Basic Books, 1997), pp.143-148.
‧
4.2.4.3.8 Russian Counter-measures to the US
The primary task for Russian strategic operations in this region is to control Central Asian energy pipelines and petroleum output to prevent US-led Western interests continued expansion in Central Asia. Next is to prevent the outbreak of further “color revolutions” in the republics of the former Soviet Union.
The primary task for Russian strategic operations in this region is to control Central Asian energy pipelines and petroleum output to prevent US-led Western interests continued
expansion in Central Asia. Next is to prevent the outbreak of further “color revolutions” in the republics of the former Soviet Union. There are 450,000 NGOs operating in Russia today, and it is estimated the 1/4 of the NGO receive foreign funds. In the past the United States has repeatedly through NGO funding and practices, portrayed through the media a wantonly undemocratic Russia or focused suspicion upon the legitimacy of Central Asia’s pro-Russian governments while waiting for an opportunity to promote "color revolutions" during the process of ‘democratization’ in Central Asian countries. So how to prevent color revolution from being triggered has become an important issue for the Russian government. 217
In response to the impact of the global financial crisis in 2008, the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) led by Russia created a 10 billion U.S. dollar fund to deal with the crisis. This highlighted Russia’s strength through financial assistance or loans to enterprises and other means, thereby assisting the needs of the Central Asian economies and securing its own strategic interests. 218
217 “Is Russia tightening the noose on NGOs?,” NBC News, Dec 21, 2005, available at:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/10546415/ns/world_news-europe/t/russia-tightening-noose-ngos/, (accessed:
20140519).
218 新大賽局」，蔡振雄-大學碩士論文清雲科技，「印三國在中亞地區的競逐、中、俄 (桃園：2010 年
7 月) ，頁 63。[Tsai, Chenshiung. Xin Dasaiju -E、Zhong、Yin Sanguo Zai Zhongyadiqu De Jingzhu (The New Great Game-The Rivalry between Sino-Russia and India in Central Asia), unpublished thesis, Ching Yun
University (Taoyuan: July 2010), pp. 63.]
‧
國立 政 治 大 學
‧
N a tio na
l C h engchi U ni ve rs it y
4.3 Competition between United States, China, Russia and other countries in Central Asia over pipelines
4.3.1 The Start of the New Great Game in Central Asia
After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Central Asian countries looked further afield in an effort to find redress for their declining economies and new relationships were forged with the United States, China, Europe, Iran, Turkey, Japan and numerous other countries, an arena for competition between all of these foreign powers, in what has come to be called the
“New Great Game.”
After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Central Asia was a vulnerable and potentially volatile region due to the threat of ethnic animosity, internal feuds, outside adventurism, political transition and an economic system in decline. Due to security concerns, Russia attempted to re-assert, maintain and strengthen ties with Central Asian countries, and established the system of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, providing some measure of security for the Central Asian states. However, due to its own economic transitional crisis, Russia abandoned assistance to those long dependent Central Asian countries, adopting instead what Chinese scholars call a Shuai Bao Fu (甩包袱) policy, which of course exacerbated their deep economic troubles. Therefore, the Central Asian countries looked further afield in an effort to find redress for their declining economies and new relationships were forged with the United States, China, Europe, Iran, Turkey, Japan and numerous other countries, making the region, which is highly strategic and rich in resources, an arena for competition between all of these foreign powers, in what has come to be called the “New Great Game.” 219
219 張鴻俊，「從地緣戰略論中國對中亞能源外交」，國立政治大學碩士論文 (台北：2010 年 6 月)，頁 37。
[Chang, Hungchuen. Cong Diyuanzhanlue Lun Zhongguo Dui Zhongya Nengyuanwaijiao (Discussion of China’s energy diplomacy towards Central Asian countries, geostrategic study), unpublished thesis, National Chengchi University (Taipei: June 2010), pp. 37.]
‧
國立 政 治 大 學