Energy, Environment and Geopolitics in Eurasia

This book advances our understanding of security and its intricate interactions with geopolitics and the environment in Eurasia. Norman A. Graham and Suhnaz Yilmaz focus on Eurasia, where the energy-water-food nexus has emerged as a vital aspect of political economy and increasinglyas a decisive factor for human security. As clearly revealed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this nexus rests on a precarious balance. Graham and Yilmaz argue that Central Eurasia is currently "Running on Empty" and highlight the key environmental challenges, including water quantity and quality and food security. The authors draw on their extensive fieldwork in countries including Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Turkey, and Uzbekistan to assess the interests and impact of pivotal actors and evaluate the competition and complementarities of these actors regarding water, energy, food security, and foreign policy imperatives. They also examine the broader interaction and implications of security at multiple levels by analyzing the local, national, and international factors in light of geopolitical and environmental challenges. Taking a novel and highly interdisciplinary approach, this book will be an important resource for students and scholars of energy and food security, political economy, international conflict and cooperation, and natural resource politics.

Norman A. Graham is a professor at the Center for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies and James Madison College, Michigan State University. Suhnaz Yilmaz is a professor of International Relations and serves as the dean of the College of Administrative Sciences and Economics and the director of the Graduate School of Business at Koç University, Istanbul.

Contents Acknowledgements 1. Introduction and Theoretical Framework 2. The Energy Security Strategy of Europe: How did Europe Become So Dependent on Russia? 3. Europe's Energy and Environmental Challenges in the Context of the Geopolitics of Eurasia: Is the Russian Invasion of Ukraine a Game-Changer? 4. Linking Energy, Environment and Geopolitics: The Quest for Water, Energy and Food Security in Central Eurasia 5. Russia and Central Eurasia: How Strong is Russia's Hold on its "Near Abroad"? 6. China's Belt and Road Initiative: Challenges and Opportunities for Central Eurasia in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus 7. Türkiye and the Energy and Water Supply Network in the South Caucasus and the Greater Middle East 8. Conclusion: Towards Peace, Prosperity, and Environmental Sustainability in Eurasia Index