This report examines the geopolitical situation between Europe and the Russian Federation. Observers have noted the tepidness of some European nations to oppose Russian interest. We believe this is due to Russia’s comparative advantage in the energy sector, specifically Natural Gas.
This resource, abundant in Russia, is the cornerstone of European energy use especially for nations of the former Soviet Union, creating economic pressure for them to agree to Russian demands. Being an abundant and relatively clean resource, natural gas is a preferred source of energy. Control of Russian supplies is dominated by state-owned Gazprom, which is the largest company in the country and exerts significant influence in the Russian Government. This report will also examine solutions for Europe’s energy independence and security through strategies such as anti-trust action and new investments in domestic production.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Thesis
- Importance of Natural Gas
- Natural Gas In Russia
- Gazprom
- Russia's Geopolitical Influence
- Possible European Strategies for Energy Independence
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This report investigates the geopolitical relationship between Europe and Russia, focusing on Russia's dominance in the European natural gas market. It examines the reasons behind Europe's dependence on Russian gas and explores potential solutions for achieving European energy independence and security.
- Russia's strategic use of natural gas as a geopolitical tool
- Europe's dependence on Russian gas and the resulting economic and political pressure
- The role of Gazprom, Russia's state-owned gas giant, in controlling gas supplies and influencing policy
- Potential strategies for Europe to achieve energy independence and security
- The implications of Russia's gas dominance for European energy security and foreign policy
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The report begins by establishing the importance of natural gas as a key 21st-century resource, highlighting its widespread use and environmental advantages. It then explores the history of natural gas development in Russia, focusing on the rise of Gazprom and its close ties to the Russian government. The report further examines the geopolitical influence Russia exerts through its control of natural gas supplies to Europe, analyzing the challenges and opportunities for European energy independence.
The report delves into the history of natural gas development in Russia, tracing its evolution from early uses for lighting to its current role as a major source of energy and revenue. It highlights the strategic importance of natural gas reserves in Russia, particularly in Siberia, and the role of Gazprom in controlling and exploiting these resources.
The report then focuses on the geopolitical implications of Russia's dominance in the European natural gas market. It explores how Russia has used its control of gas supplies to exert political and economic influence over European countries, particularly former Soviet republics. The report also examines European efforts to reduce their dependence on Russian gas and explore alternative sources of energy.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The report focuses on the key terms and concepts surrounding Russia's dominance in the European natural gas market. These include: Russia, Geopolitics, Natural Gas, European Energy, Gazprom, Energy Independence, Energy Security, and Geopolitical Influence.
- Citation du texte
- Harel Tanjong (Auteur), 2016, Gas Tentacles. Russian Domination of European Gas Markets, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/343280
