Russia a superpower again?

Question 1

What influence do they have?

Answer 1

Cut off gas to Ukraine
Planted flag on Arctic seabed
Export oil to China & 80% to EU
Missile bases

Question 2

What tension has been caused?

Answer 2

Former soviet states are now part of the EU.
Georgia wants to be part of NATO
South Osseta has a different ethnic group to Georgia and want to join with North Osseta leaving the Caucasus at a crossroads

Question 3

What is the Caucasus?

Answer 3

Region between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea

Question 4

What is happening in regards to oil access and pipelines?

Answer 4

BP built a pipeline in 1999 from South Caspian sea to Turkey/Austria
Russia has a pipeline from Siberia to Ukraine and the EU.

Question 5

What do Russia have the potential to do with their oil?

Answer 5

Export to China

This also works for asia who need to switch from oil to gas so Japan, South Korea and Taiwan import 80% of Russia’s gas

Question 6

What have the US done in regards to tension?

Answer 6

Withdrew plans for strategic defence base in Poland

Gave Nigeria millions to explore new oil fields

Question 7

Why is the South Caucasus relevant?

Answer 7

Represents ethnic crossroads with Christians in North, Muslims in South, Middle Eats vs. Eurasis, NATO vs. Soviet
Also has oil pipelines via Ukraine, new one from Baku through Georgia to Turkey (owned by BP) resulting in weakening Russia’s power base