ENERGY POLITICS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF KAZAKHSTAN (original) (raw)

As being a young sovereign state, Kazakhstan had developed a close relationship with the U.S. ever since it gained independence from the Soviet Union. Kazakhstan consists huge deposits of oil and natural gas and bordering the Caspian Sea that attracts the interests of energy consuming countries of the world. The U.S is much interested in Kazakh's huge natural resources, therefore it promoted many U.S. companies to invest in Kazakh's energy sector. Due to the largest foreign investor in the development of Kazakh economy, the U.S tried to establish its hegemony in Kazakhstan as well as in the Caspian Sea by encouraging its economic assistance for the development of the region. On the other hand, Kazakhstan also needs the U.S assistance and investment due to its landlocked location and weak infrastructure. This article examines the role of oil and gas for determining Kazakh economic relations with the U.S. It discusses that Kazakhstan has been following the Multi-vector foreign policy due to geopolitical location and consisting huge natural resources. On the other hand, it will also evaluate the pipeline politics and Russian engagement in the region for oil and natural gas resources of Kazakhstan that hinders the flow of Kazakh-U.S relations.