Foreign Policy & Trade Policy: Case Study - Russian Trade after Georgia

1. Foreign Policy & Trade Policy: Case Study - Russian Trade after Georgia Presented by: Dimitar Minchev

2. Beginning of the conflictShort overview of the timeline • August 8 – Georgia launches an attack on South Ossetia • August 9 – Russian military begins to repel the Georgian assault in order to “prevent genocide” • August 15 – the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrives at Tbilisi • September 5 US vice-president R. Cheney visits Georgia • September 13 – Russian forces begin to withdraw form Georgia

3. Events preceding the conflict • In February 2008 Kosovo declared its independence with the support of the US and the EU • US moved to install missiles to defend itself from “rogue states” • Russia strongly opposed both events

4. Events preceding the conflict-cont. • US withdrew its support for Russia’s bid to become a WTO member • US pledged its support for Georgia’s and Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership • US trained Georgian soldiers and supplied equipment for their mission in Iraq

5. US response to the Russian invasion in Georgia • The US Secretary of state visited Georgia, pledging US support for the country • The US vice-president visited Tbilisi and pledged 1 billion dollars in aid for the recovery of the country • US sent humanitarian aid aboard two navy ships and a coast guard frigate

6. US response to the Russian invasion in Georgia-cont. • NATO conducted 18 days exercises in the Black Sea during the conflict • President Bush canceled the civilian nuclear deal with Russia

7. Russia’s response to the US actions • August 26, 2008 - recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but only Nicaragua joins the recognition • Igor Shechin – Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of state owned Rosneft gives a speech on the OPEC meeting in Vienna

8. Russia’s response to the US actions • Russia bars 19 US poultry producers form exporting into the country • Russia implements new stricter import measures at border checkpoints with Turkey • Russia sent two strategic bombers TU-160 to Venezuela

9. Russia’s response to the US actions • Russia announced that it will send a nuclear powered missile destroyer to the Caribbean Sea along with three navy ships on Military exercises with Venezuela • Russia announced a 27% increase in its military spending for 2009

10. US national interests in Georgia • US backs the 1 million barrels per day pipeline in Georgia which allows it to use oil from the Caspian Sea region while avoiding Russia or Iran • Georgia had the third biggest contingent in Iraq prior to the start of the conflict and was active participant in the war on terror

11. What are the ways for the US to change its energy policy • Use more natural gas for transportation • Its cheaper than oil • It emits less greenhouse gases • Its abundant in North America • Invest in new energy technologies • Electric car • Hydrogen fuel cell

12. What are the ways for the US to change its energy policy-cont. • Provide tax rebates and cash incentives for homeowners to switch to alternative power generation • Look to the long term future - ITER

13. Thank you for your time!

14. Resources • South Ossetia – information about the region • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Ossetia • Analysis: Why the Russia – Georgia conflict Matters to the West? • http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4486297.ece • Polish government approves US missile deal • http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-08-19-missile-deal_N.htm • Russia Condemns US missile deal • http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7573409.stm#goback • Russia makes new threats over US-Poland missile deal • http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=5617271&page=1 • Opinion: US, EU must take Russia seriously • http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3580354,00.html • Russian chicken ban more bad news for US producers • http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2008-08-28-chicken-russia_N.htm • Russia-Georgia war ordeal for Turkey’s economy • http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=112315 • Russia denies punishing Turkey over Georgia • http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-09-02-Turkey-Russia_N.htm • Bush cancels civilian nuclear deal with Russia • http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-09-08-bush-russia_N.htm • Russia to conduct military exercise with Venezuela • http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-09-08-bush-russia_N.htm • Two Russian Blackjack bombers land in Venezuela • http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,420522,00.html

15. Resources – cont. • Russia says to send nuclear warship to the Caribbean • http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL871354420080908?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0 • Russia defense spending to grow 27% in 09 - Putin • http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080916/wl_nm/russia_defence_dc • Visiting Georgia Dick Cheney assails Russia • http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-georgia5-2008sep05,0,2485941.story • Georgia’s oil pipeline is key to US support • http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/09/MNDG127U55.DTL • Georgia-Oil and Gas politics • http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/georgia/oil-politics.htm • OPEC plans closer links with Russia to control half of the world’s oil supply • http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article4727088.ece • Russia warns US and EU over Kosovo independence • http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL287999020080128 • Russia, US trade barbs over Iraq, Kosovo at UN • http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28360832.htm • McCan and Obama use conflict in Georgia to prove foreign policy mettle • http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/11/johnmccain.barackobama • What is ITER? • http://www.iter.org/