U.S. Policy toward the Caspian Region: Recommendations for the Bush Administration

Since taking office, the Bush Administration has demonstrated interest in the Caspian region and recognized it as an important arena for pursuing U.S. national interests. Secretary of State Colin Powell's hosting of the Key West peace summit on Nagorno-Karabagh; President Bush's statements on the importance of diverse energy supplies; and the recommendations on Caspian issues in the report of the National Energy Policy Development Group led by Vice-President Cheney are all positive examples of the Bush Administration's approach. At the Caspian Studies Program, we commend the intensified U.S. activity in the region and the recognition of the importance of the area to the pursuit of U.S. national interests.

In order to assist the U.S. government in further designing policies to pursue U.S. national interests in the Caspian region, the Program's Research Director, Dr. Brenda Shaffer, with assistance from the research team, drew up the attached brief containing analysis, recommendations, and policy guidelines.

The brief proposes that a number of U.S. interests can be advanced through an active and coherent policy toward the Caspian region: viability and stability of global energy supplies and diversification of supply from areas other than the Persian Gulf; improved relations with the Muslim world; and support for Turkey. Among the ways to promote those interests, the memorandum suggests continued efforts to assist in the success of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project; continued activity aimed at solving the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict; and working cooperatively with Russia, while remaining firm in the U.S. commitment to support the independence of the states of the region.

In contrast to many other discussions of the region, this brief argues that U.S. policy has overemphasized religious and cultural differences as a factor in the policies and orientations of the states of the region and suggests a shift in this framework of analysis for U.S. policy.

We hope you will find the attached brief useful. We are pleased to continue our dialogue on how best to promote U.S. relations with the Caspian region and hope to continue to serve you through our suggestions and analysis.