Key Players and Regional Dynamics in Eurasia The Return of the 'Great Game'

Explores Russia's re-emergence as a major actor in Central Asia and the Caucasus - a re-emergence which is limited by the involvement and influence of external state and non-state actors, including China, the USA and foreign energy companies.

Maria Raquel Freire is Researcher at the Centre for Social Studies (CES) and Assistant Professor of International Relations at the School of Economics of the University of Coimbra, Portugal. Her research interests focus on foreign policy, Russia and the former Soviet space, and peace studies. She has published widely on these topics. Roger E. Kanet is Professor of International Studies at the University of Miami, US. His recent publications include Resurgent Russia and the west: The European Union, NATO and Beyond (2009); The United States and Europe in a Changing World (2009); with E.A. Kolodziej, From Superpower to Besieged Global power: Restoring World Order after the Bush Doctrine (2008); Russia: Re-Emerging Great Power (2007); and Identities, Nations And Politics after Communism (2007).

Introduction
Russia in Eurasia: External Players and Regional Dynamics; M.R.Freire & R.E.Kanet
PART I: THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND THE GREATER CASPIAN BASIAN
Russia and the CIS Region: The Russian Regional Security Complex; B.Nygren
International Rivalries in Eurasia; S.Blank
Eurasia at the Heart of Russian Politics: Dynamics of (In)Dependence in a Complex Setting; M.R.Freire
PART II: EXTERNAL POWERS, RUSSIA AND EURASIA
Russia and the Greater Caspian Basin: Withstanding the U.S. Challenge; R.E.Kanet
Competing for Eurasia: Russian and European Union Perspectives; S.Fernandes & L.Simão
Russia and China in Eurasia: The Wary Partnership; J.Berryman
India and Central Asia; A.D.Gupta
Eurasia between Russia, Turkey and Iran; M.Mesbahi
PART III: INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND NON-STATE ACTORS, RUSSIA AND EURASIA
Senseless Dreams and Small Steps: The CIS and CSTO Between Integration and Cooperation; R.Sakwa
The Atlantic Alliance in Eurasia: A Different Player?; A.Priego
Intergovernmental Organisations and Non-State Actors, Russia and Eurasia: The OSCE; P.T.Hopmann
Strategic Resources, Strategic Players: The Role of National versus International Oil Companies in Post-Soviet Eurasia; H.Kjærnet
Conclusion; M.R.Freire