Russia's geo-energy interests and secessionist conflicts in Central Asia: Karakalpakstan and Gorno-Badakhshan

Abstract

The break-up of the Soviet Union heralded a highly unstable decade of decline for Russia, while also generating numerous conflicts in the post-Soviet space. Russia regained influence at global and, chiefly, regional level from 2000, with the coming to power of Vladimir Putin and the rise in the price of hydrocarbons. Energy policy arguably played an essential role in this situation. Central Asia, the scenario of two secessionist conflicts at present, is crucial to Russian geo-energy interests. This article examines and discusses the impact of these conflicts on Russia's geo-energy interests, in particular since Putin came to power. Our conclusion is that, in a context of Russian dominance of the post-Soviet space and direct Russian intervention in secessionist conflicts in the South Caucasus and Eastern Europe in defence of its geo-energy interests, the two post-Soviet secessionist conflicts in Central Asia (Karakalpakstan and Gorno-Badakhshan) have greatly benefited Russian geo-energy interests. [Received: April 10, 2020; Accepted: July 14, 2020].