Energy competition among the great powers in Caucasus: The case of Georgia (2002-2016)

In the 21st century, energy has become one of the most important issues in determining the foreign policy of the states. In this point, energy access and gaining dominance on the energy transmission lines have become crucial the power struggle among the states. Georgia which is the transit country connecting Central Asia and Caspian energy resources to the European market has an important geopolitical statute. In this sense, it has been of interest to not only the regional powers and also the major powers. In this study, the competition of the major powers on the energy sector in Georgia is considered from the 2003 Rose Revolution which is the turning point in Georgia to 2016. On the one hand, the USA and the European countries have supported the East-West Energy Corridor on the issue of the transportation of the Caspian energy resources to world markets. On the other hand, Russia has sought to enhance its influence through the North-South line in Georgia which Russia has identified it as 'near abroad'. From this point of view, this study has tried to analyze the struggle of the major powers by favor of the energy companies in the energy (electric, oil and natural gas) sector of Georgia.