ANALYSIS OF RUSSIA-USA INTERACTIONS IN CAUCASUS SINCE 2001

SELÇUK AYDIN  

ANALYSIS OF RUSSIA-USA INTERACTIONS IN CAUCASUS SINCE 2001

When the Bush administration came to power in 2001, the main foreign policy goals of USA continued in the Caucasus. These goals can be summarize as; conflict resolution, democratic and economic transformation of region countries, access to the Caspian energy resources and energy transportation corridor of Caucasia.

After the 9/11 attacks, USA’s approach to the Caucasus has changed. In Afghanistan War, South Caucasus, especially Azerbaijan and Georgia ,was a passing point for USA army to Afghanistan. If we look at the position of Russia in this case, we can say that Russia was willing to cooperate with the USA on this issue. Because, in first years of Putin, Russia has seen Taliban, with other words the radical Islamism, as a threat to his own security both in Central Asia and Caucasus. Also USA has need this cooperation as much as Russia, because in Central Asia and Caucasus Russia was dominant power, so without the consent and help of Russia ,war in this region could not achieve to success so easily. So we can say that 2001, was cooperation year for both countries, in some degree.

But this cooperation was not so durable. Because the USA has tried to increase his influence and power , after this date in the Caucasus. Especially after 2003, USA has seen that Russia was successful in recovering his power at least as a regional power. For prevent Russia’s future expansion as a more great power. USA has tried to cut Russia’s way with some methods. If we look at this methods, we can say that the USA has tried to promote democracy in region countries and with this way develop his relations with region countries. For example USA’s effort to reconcile Armenia and Azerbaijan is a result of this democratization movement.

Other way of USA to gaining influence on region was ‘’coloured revolutions’’, for example in Georgia’s coloured revolution, Saakashvili which is pro-western politician and strongly wish to bring his country under the roof of NATO.

Also , USA had tried to increase his influence , with the military cooperation of region countries, especially in Georgia we can say that USA has armed and modernized Georgian army in high amount. Of course it was very threatening thing in the eyes of Russia.

Other way of USA was the support to construct alternative pipelines. As we know after the 2000s, Russia, with his energy resources and energy pipelines, has made Europe and Caucasus dependent to himself. If we look this energy situation in Caucasus perspective, Georgia was dependent to Russia for import his energy and Azerbaijan was dependent to Russia to sell his energy. So to increase his influence in region, USA had to solve this energy dependency of these countries. It was very unacceptable point for Russia, because as we know Russia’s main policy on energy is to become hegemon on energy both producing and delivering. Alternative pipelines could undermine the Russia’s this energy policy.

The competition between Russia and USA has shown himself totally in 2003.In this date, there was Iraq war and unlike Afghanistan war, Russia did not support USA’s invasion of Iraq. Because Russia was very uncomfortable about the USA’s increasing movements in Caucasus against the Russia. Hegemonic movements of USA in countries which are defined by Russia as apart of outer circle security of Russia, was very disturbed attacks to the Russia’s security and interests.

Especially the NATO expansion in the post –Soviet states was very offensive for Russia. Especially Russia had clearly explained that membership of Ukraine and Georgia was completely unacceptable for Russia’s interest, in 2007.

In this date, Russia’s appearing as great power again, has reach his peak point. Russia’s break up from CFE in 2007 is a important example that shows Russia has wanted to increase his power and improve his position in his region as a great power. Russia has clearly defined that it will not accept USA’s global designs. Russia has canceled CFE because, Baltic states were not in CFE and it was create unbalance against Russia also explain that it was impossible for Russia to obey this agreement especially in Caucasus.

In 2008, there was a important event that great break point in Russia-USA interactions. In 7-8 August 2008, Georgia had attacked to the South Ossetia .But in five day, South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russian forces has repelled Georgian army and entered Georgian cities, Poti and Gori. Russia has recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia and Russian soldiers has located to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Now, let us look at the subtext of this event. Firstly, this war is heavily related with Georgia’s desire to enter NATO. Actually, this war can be seen as not only a war between Georgia and Russia, but also a war between USA and Russia. This war is show place that Russia has shown that he has the capability of Great power and does not afraid to use this power. With this war Russia has sent a message to European countries and ,especially to USA , that Russia will not accept this new type of containment policy that is made by NATO and aim the prevent Russia’s appearing as Great power again. Because Georgian army was armed, trained  and modernized by USA. So in the body of Georgia, Russia  has hit USA actually.

With that war, NATO has started to be more cautious in his plans of enlargement and plans to site missiles to Czechoslavakia and Poland has abandoned. So in one perspective, Russia has proven himself as a great power in the eyes of Western world .Also recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia can be understand in two different ways. First, Russia with these recognitions may tried to retaliate Kosovo’s recognition by USA. Second, Russia may tried to divide and decrease Georgia’s power, because in the eyes of Russia ,Georgia ,especially under the leadership of Saakashvili, is a puppet of USA , so decreasing Georgia’s power is decreasing USA’s power in Caucasus.

With the Obama’s came of power in 2009, USA has revised his policies against the Caucasus.USA has started to focus on economic cooperation with region states, and military cooperation become a second place. The membership of Georgia to NATO is not in agenda of USA as much as before, after this date. But now economic cooperation of EU with Georgia, in a matter of energy pipelines especially, has gain importance. So USA still try to keep Caucasus under his influence but unlike from Bush period, the way of doing this is more economically rather than militarily.

As a conclusion, since 2001, while there is a little cooperation period between 2001-2003, USA –Russia interactions has mostly based on rivalry on Caucasus. Policies of these two power on Caucasus, mostly about the decrease opponent power, and increase their own power.