The black sea region: an analysis of regional politics and cooperation in the post cold war era

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the regional politics in the Black Sea region in the post Cold War era from an international relations perspective. The objective of the thesis is to analyze the politics of the Black Sea in the post Cold War era, evaluate the current developments, and reflect the positions of the main actors such as Turkey, Russia, the EU, and the USA. The most important issues that pertain to the region are evaluated. In this context, the study concentrates on frozen conflicts and the new security threats (NTSs) and analyzes energy politics and democratization movements in the region, and the regional cooperation organization, namely the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). The thesis investigates the areas in which fruitful cooperation has been taking place within the mandate of the BSEC. The increasing global importance of the Black Sea draws the attention of major international actors towards the region. The study puts special emphasis on the EU’s and the USA’s changing policies toward the region and evaluates the regional countries’ reactions to these global actors. The study investigates the cooperation opportunities regarding economic interaction, security, energy, and democratization. In this context, the major actors’ roles and the BSEC’s potential with respect to these issues are considered. The thesis concludes that the potential to deepen regional cooperation exists; however, in order to realize this, all of the involved actors should assume positive approaches and follow constructive policies.