2.4 - Russia Pathways

Question 1

Pathways

Answer 1

An inevitable consequence of mismatch between energy supply and demand: Pipeline, Land/Ship, Tankers, Underground Cables & Unconventional fossil fuels are depleting.

Question 2

Complexities Of Pathways

Answer 2

Physical Geography - Ocean restricts access to some oil and hazardous environments.
Material processing impacts the environment.
Human Obstacles - Political tension e.g. China and S/E China Sea, diversion because of hostile states.

Question 3

Results Of Pathway Disruptions

Answer 3

Recession
Conflict
Job Losses
Energy Shortages.
Renewables are more present –> less chance of conflict.

Question 4

South Caucasus

Answer 4

3 countries: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
South Ossetia in Georgia but ethnically Russian
Desire to be part of EU and NATO
Invaded by Russia in 2008/

Question 5

Georgia - Strategic

Answer 5

Russia isn’t keen for a former soviet country to become part of the NATO and EU.
Russia wants to show it’s still in power after the uSSR

Question 6

Georgia - Ethnic

Answer 6

The overlap in ethnicity between N/S Ossetia will make it easier to bring it under Russian control.
S Ossetia would probably rather be part of Russi athemselves

Question 7

Georgia - Environmental

Answer 7

Russia exports loads of oil/gas to China and S Asia.
Asia countries are trying to convert towards renewables.

Question 8

Pathways (Russia And South Caucasus)

Answer 8

South Ossetia wants to be joined with North Ossetia (Russia).
BP has built a pipeline from South Capian Sea to Turkey/Austria.
Russia has 4 pipelines that run from Siberia to Ukraine and the EU.
Russia could decide to export oil to China

Question 9

Disruptions (South Caucasus And Russia)

Answer 9

The ethnicity of South Ossetia is different to the rest of Georgia
Caucasus is at a geopolitical crossroads between West and East
Asia desperately wants to switch energy from oil to gas
Japan, S Korea, and Taiwan import 80% of Russia’s gas - they’re making a transition to renewables
Russia has stopped gas supplies to Ukraine in 2008
Former Soviet States are or want to be part of the EU e.g. Georgia (NATO)
Nigeria got millions of dollars of investment from the USA to explore new oil fields.

Question 10

What Is Russia’s Problem

Answer 10

The West fought Russia and therefore they don’t want Georgia joining the EU.
So many countries have already left the USSR.