Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 05/2009

The Wider Black Sea Region in the 21st Century: Strategic, Economic and Energy Perspectives

Daniel Hamilton, Gerhard Mangott

January 2008

Center for Transatlantic Relations

Abstract

The wider Black Sea region has become a new strategic frontier for Europe, Russia and the United States in terms of energy security, frozen and festering conflicts, trade links, migration, and other key policy areas. Prospects for the Black Sea in the 21st century will be shaped by the interaction between major external actors, the ambitions of states and peoples in the region, and the region’s role as a crossroads of civilizations. In this volume leading scholars from Europe, Russia, the U.S. and the region itself address the dynamics of the wider Black Sea. They examine whether this expanse of land and sea can justifiably be described as a coherent region; outline aspirations and challenges; discuss major issues of conflict; and identify potential for cooperation.