Georgia in the Center of Geopolitical Struggle: The Interests of Russia and Major World Powers

N.A.

Article Details

Georgia in the Center of Geopolitical Struggle: The Interests of Russia and Major World Powers

Authors:

N.A.

Publisher:

Hakan YILMAZ

Main Topics:

Yeniçağ Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Akademik Tarih ve Düşünce Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.340-352

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001343348

pISSN:

2148-2292

Keywords:

Abstract:

 For centuries, the South Caucasus has been an arena of geopolitical rivalry among major regional powers  Russia, the USA, the UK, Turkey, and Iran. In light of contemporary challenges, examining the geopolitical interests of the West and Russia in Georgia has become especially relevant. The strategic significance of Georgia, due to its location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, as well as its role in regional and global energy security, makes it a focal point of competing interests. The primary actors influencing Georgias political landscape are the USA and Russia, while the role of other external actors remains secondary, depending on the political context. Russias strategic objective is to maintain its dominant position in the European energy market and solidify its role as the main supplier of natural resources to Europe. Meanwhile, Western countries seek to reduce their energy dependence on Russia, given that the Kremlin often uses energy resources as a tool of political leverage. This article provides a detailed analysis of the geopolitical and economic interests of major powers in Georgia since the restoration of its independence in 1991. Additionally, it examines Georgias strategic interests and foreign policy aspirations, including its pursuit of integration into international structures and its efforts to balance the influence of both Russia and the West. The increasing geopolitical tensions in the region further enhance the relevance of this study, as Georgias position continues to evolve in a rapidly changing global landscape.

 For centuries, the South Caucasus has been an arena of geopolitical rivalry among major regional powers  Russia, the USA, the UK, Turkey, and Iran. In light of contemporary challenges, examining the geopolitical interests of the West and Russia in Georgia has become especially relevant. The strategic significance of Georgia, due to its location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, as well as its role in regional and global energy security, makes it a focal point of competing interests. The primary actors influencing Georgias political landscape are the USA and Russia, while the role of other external actors remains secondary, depending on the political context. Russias strategic objective is to maintain its dominant position in the European energy market and solidify its role as the main supplier of natural resources to Europe. Meanwhile, Western countries seek to reduce their energy dependence on Russia, given that the Kremlin often uses energy resources as a tool of political leverage. This article provides a detailed analysis of the geopolitical and economic interests of major powers in Georgia since the restoration of its independence in 1991. Additionally, it examines Georgias strategic interests and foreign policy aspirations, including its pursuit of integration into international structures and its efforts to balance the influence of both Russia and the West. The increasing geopolitical tensions in the region further enhance the relevance of this study, as Georgias position continues to evolve in a rapidly changing global landscape.

 For centuries, the South Caucasus has been an arena of geopolitical rivalry among major regional powers  Russia, the USA, the UK, Turkey, and Iran. In light of contemporary challenges, examining the geopolitical interests of the West and Russia in Georgia has become especially relevant. The strategic significance of Georgia, due to its location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, as well as its role in regional and global energy security, makes it a focal point of competing interests. The primary actors influencing Georgias political landscape are the USA and Russia, while the role of other external actors remains secondary, depending on the political context. Russias strategic objective is to maintain its dominant position in the European energy market and solidify its role as the main supplier of natural resources to Europe. Meanwhile, Western countries seek to reduce their energy dependence on Russia, given that the Kremlin often uses energy resources as a tool of political leverage. This article provides a detailed analysis of the geopolitical and economic interests of major powers in Georgia since the restoration of its independence in 1991. Additionally, it examines Georgias strategic interests and foreign policy aspirations, including its pursuit of integration into international structures and its efforts to balance the influence of both Russia and the West. The increasing geopolitical tensions in the region further enhance the relevance of this study, as Georgias position continues to evolve in a rapidly changing global landscape.

 Güney Kafkasya yüzyıllar boyunca Rusya, ABD, İngiltere, Türkiye ve İran gibi büyük bölgesel güçler arasında jeopolitik rekabetin yaşandığı bir arena olmuştur. Günümüzün zorlukları ışığında, Batı ve Rusyanın Gürcistandaki jeopolitik çıkarlarını incelemek özellikle önemli hale gelmiştir. Avrupa ve Asyanın kesişme noktasındaki konumu ve bölgesel ve küresel enerji güvenliğindeki rolü nedeniyle Gürcistanın stratejik önemi, onu rekabet halindeki çıkarların odak noktası haline getirmektedir. Gürcistanın siyasi manzarasını etkileyen birincil aktörler ABD ve Rusya iken, diğer dış aktörlerin rolü siyasi bağlama bağlı olarak ikincil kalmaktadır. Rusyanın stratejik hedefi Avrupa enerji pazarındaki hakim konumunu korumak ve Avrupanın ana doğal kaynak tedarikçisi olarak rolünü sağlamlaştırmaktır. Bu arada Batılı ülkeler, Kremlinin enerji kaynaklarını sıklıkla bir siyasi baskı aracı olarak kullandığı göz önüne alındığında, Rusyaya olan enerji bağımlılıklarını azaltmaya çalışmaktadır. Bu makale, 1991 yılında bağımsızlığını kazanmasından bu yana büyük güçlerin Gürcistandaki jeopolitik ve ekonomik çıkarlarının detaylı bir analizini sunmaktadır. Ayrıca, Gürcistanın uluslararası yapılarla bütünleşme arayışı ve hem Rusya hem de Batının etkisini dengeleme çabaları da dahil olmak üzere stratejik çıkarlarını ve dış politika hedeflerini incelemektedir. Bölgede artan jeopolitik gerilimler, Gürcistanın konumu hızla değişen küresel ortamda gelişmeye devam ettiğinden, bu çalışmanın önemini daha da artırmaktadır.

Article Details

Georgia in the Center of Geopolitical Struggle: The Interests of Russia and Major World Powers

Authors:

N.A.

Publisher:

Hakan YILMAZ

Main Topics:

Yeniçağ Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Akademik Tarih ve Düşünce Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.340-352

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001343348

pISSN:

2148-2292

Georgia

South Caucasus

Russia

West

Geopolitical Interest

CooperationGürcistan

Güney Kafkasya

Rusya

Batı

Jeopolitik Çıkar

İşbirliği

Issues

Article Details

Authors: N.A.

Publisher: Hakan YILMAZ

Main Topics: Yeniçağ Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal: Akademik Tarih ve Düşünce Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.340-352

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 3/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001343348

pISSN: 2148-2292

Issues

Authors:

N.A.

Publisher:

Hakan YILMAZ

Main Topics:

Yeniçağ Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Akademik Tarih ve Düşünce Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.340-352

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001343348

pISSN:

2148-2292