The Russian Federation and South Caucasus: attempts to control an increasingly strategic region.

Abstract

This thesis analyses the foreign policy of Russia in the South Caucasus by trying to enlighten the principal reasons that push Moscow to have a particular eye towards the countries which belong to it, namely Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Indeed, despite their geographical limited dimensions, South Caucasus states did take a leading role in the international arena due their strategic position and characteristics. First of all, an historical overview since Russian empire's conquest of Transcaucasia has been outlined, by pointing out the most significative episodes that marked the imperial history of Russia, followed by the Soviet and the post Soviet period. Afterwards, attention has been addressed to the geopolitical reasons that literally attract Russia's interests towards the South Caucasus area. In particular, during the Putin era it has been decided to re-establish the Russian sphere of influence in the former Soviet republics. Furthermore, special consideration has been paid on the energy issue and its influence in shaping global policies in the specific geographical area. In fact, Azeri oil and gas as well as the energy routes that bypass Russia have become crucial in transforming the region into an attractive pole for multiple international actors.