The Politics of the Black Sea Region. EU Neighbourhood, Conflict Zone or Future Security Community?

The Black Sea region is a dynamic and complex area in which many national and international actors have key interests, including Russia and the US. The European Union stretches to the sea’s western coast where it meets former Soviet territory as well as EU candidate Turkey. Regional tensions include those over NATO enlargement, a US anti-ballistic missile system, access to the Black Sea, democratisation, spheres of interest and the conflict zones of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Transnistria. In addition, the region’s close proximity to the Caspian basin offers the prospect of alternative energy resources and routes to western states.

The Politics of the Black Sea Region: EU Neighbourhood, Conflict Zone or Future Security Community? explores and examines the many diverse political, security and economic interests that affect the region and the possible outcomes for it. By reviewing the wider history and examining the political systems and policies of the Black Sea nations and organisations as well as analysing current tensions and future trends, it provides a comprehensive political guide to this fascinating area.

Contents:
+ An introduction to the politics of the Black Sea nations
+ The Black Sea region as the EU’s neighbourhood
+ US-Russian tensions in the region
+ The conflicts of the region
+ Energy and the Black Sea region
+ The Black Sea region as a possible future security community
+ Conclusions: EU neighbourhood, conflict zone or future security community?