Event Summary
Harvard''s Caspian Studies Program (CSP) studies U.S. national interests in the Caspian region including energy policy and the development of Caspian basin energy resources. The Bush Administration, like its predecessor, has recognized the importance of Caspian energy and engaged in diplomatic efforts to develop export routes.
Graham Allison and Emily Van Buskirk prepared a case on U.S. policy in the Caspian for Allison''s Kennedy School class. The students examined questions including: What is the most effective way to promote the development of Caspian energy resources? What is the proper role of government in large-scale capital projects? Where does the Caspian Basin rank in the hierarchy of U.S. national interests?
The case provoked a lively debate and, a week later, students had the opportunity to discuss U.S. Caspian policy with Ambassador Elizabeth Jones, then Senior Advisor for Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy and currently Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs.
The importance of the region extends beyond energy; strengthened ties with the states of the Caspian region can contribute to improvement of Washington''s relations with the Muslim world and encourage U.S.-oriented regimes and open societies. Brenda Shaffer elaborated on this argument and shared her recommendations for U.S. policy toward the region in CSP policy brief #5: "U.S. Policy Toward the Caspian Region: Recommendations for the Bush Administration," released in July 2001.
This summer also marked the launch of CSP''s working paper series with a paper by Pavel Baev, Senior Researcher at the International Peace Research Institute, Oslo, entitled "Russia Refocuses its Policies in the Southern Caucasus." Baev argues that Russia''s calculations in the Caucasus have changed substantially -- as reflected by its more constructive role in the Nagorno-Karabagh peace talks and by its readiness to settle the legal issues related to demarcation of the Caspian waters and seabed. Baev attributes the changes in Russia''s calculations and policies toward the Caucasus to two main factors: Russia''s view of Turkey as a valuable partner rather than a threat and Russia''s involvement in Chechnya.
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/bcsia/sdi