South Caucasus Fault Lines: Security, Energy, and U.S. Interests

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States has had significant strategic, economic, and energy interests in the South Caucasus. The region’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Central Asia makes it of vital importance for US national security interests, including energy security. Given the priority of energy security in the U.S. and in Europe, and considering the ongoing conflicts in the South Caucasus, it is time to discuss U.S. interests and priorities in this region.

Conference Agenda

9.00am-9.10am: Introduction

Janusz Bugajski, CSIS

9.10am-11.00am: Panel 1:
Unresolved Conflicts and Conflicting Interests

Moderator: Ariel Cohen, Heritage Foundation
Mamuka Tsereteli, American University, Georgia and the New Geopolitical Environment
Gerard Libaridian, University of Michigan, Karabakh Conflict: Chances for Settlement?
Thomas De Waal, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Unrecognized territories and Russian Influence
Fariz Ismailzade, AFSP, Overview of Region
Respondent: Stephen Blank, US Army War College

11.00am-12.30pm: Panel 2:
Energy Security and Regional Competition

Moderator: Janusz Bugajski, CSIS
Neil Brown, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Opening the Southern Corridor
Vladimir Socor, Jamestown: Viability of South Stream
Ertas Koray, Turkish Embassy, Turkish Policy for Southern Corridor
Elin Suleymanov, Consulate General of Azerbaijan
Respondent: Ariel Cohen, Heritage Foundation

12.30pm-1:30pm: Lunch Discussion and Keynote:
U.S. Interests in the South Caucasus

Vitaliy Baylarbayov, Deputy vice president investments and marketing at State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR)
 
1.30pm-1.45pm: Concluding Comments

Janusz Bugajski, CSIS