The Politics Of The Black Sea Region

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, democratization, 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 organizations as well as analyzing current tensions and future trends, it provides an invaluable, comprehensive and unique political guide to this fascinating area. Review: 'Shining light on the Black Sea, Weaver casts a critical eye on one of the most complex regions of the world too often neglected in our understanding of European and global security. The discussion within unpacks these regional tensions, giving a clear warning that we neglect it at our peril.'David J. Galbreath, University of Bath, UK and Editor, European Security'The Black Sea Region continues to attract the attention of policymakers and scholars since the end of the Cold War. This book offers a well-articulated framework which explains the dynamics at play in the region through an analysis of its stakeholders and the issues, conflicts and challenges characterizing it. It makes a valuable contribution to defining the Black Sea Region's current and future direction.'Dimitrios Triantaphyllou, Kadir Has University, Turkey'This book provides a comprehensive and persuasive analysis of Black Sea politics - including such important issues as energy politics - based on scrupulous empirical research, and located in an extensive knowledge of a region which is often overlooked but is crucial to the future of the wider Europe.'Derek Averre, University of Birmingham, UK