This volume examines the role of Russia in the world under President Putin's rule. When the Soviet Union disintegrated after the Cold War, Russia seemingly embarked on the establishment of a democratic political system and seemed intent on joining the liberal international order. However, under President Putin's rule, there have been dramatic shifts in Russian domestic and foreign policies, in order to re-establish itself as a great power. This book examines broad aspects of Russian political culture and threat perception, such as Russia's reaction to NATO expansion; its information warfare and energy policies; and its policy towards the Global South, especially the Middle East and Africa. The objective of the analyses is to explain the factors that influence Russian foreign policy, and to show how and why Russian relations with the European Union and the United States have deteriorated so rapidly in recent years. The volume introduces an alternative approach to the standard realist perspective, which often underlies existing analyses of Russian policy - namely, the work offers a theoretical perspective that focuses on the Russian sense of identity and on ontological security. This book will be of much interest to students of Russian foreign policy, security studies, and International Relations.

In light of the rapid fluctuations in oil prices and subsequent impact on the stability and economic perspectives of energy producing and energy importing states in the Western Hemisphere, this book stresses the urgency to integrate sustainability at the very core of national energy security strategies. From Canada to Argentina, this edited volume analyzes a series of case studies and diverging paradigms across the continent. It underlines how the relatively recent exploitation of unconventional energy sources in North America and the resulting impact on prices impact the geopolitical concerns of traditional producers. It also explains how much energy strategies are central to the development of national economies and the stability of their society. Highlighting the shortcomings in several countries even at a time of high prices, the volume makes the case for an inclusive and holistic approach to energy security that would integrate environmental concerns at its very core. This edited volume also explains how this new energy independence of the western Hemisphere affects its foreign policy with the main international actors in the field of energy whether traditional producers or consumers. Finally, it provides key insights on successful strategy towards the development of alternative sources of energy.

Changing patterns of energy production and consumption are transforming the geopolitics of the global system. The BRICS countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (not discussed in this volume), a loose conglomeration of emerging powers, are part of the change as are Western powers. Variations in the energy policies of the Americas, especially the United States and Canada, are altering existing dynamics. Both states are increasing energy production and are projected to become energy independent in the very near future. The BRICS themselves wield much energy power as well. Specifically, Russia's oil policy and China's coal policy are creating for the world a new infrastructure within which middle and weaker countries may consider as the future. This edited volume summarizes our analysis with particular emphasis on the rapidly changing role of the BRICS in the world's energy system. In this collection, energy experts and international relations analysts examine production and consumption of states, the exportation and importation of energy, and alternative strategies for maintaining the international order or changing the international order.

This edited volume examines the impacts of the 2014-2015 decline in the price of oil. Participants will examine the economic, social and political consequences on states and regions, along with their responses. The following questions will be examined: what were the impacts for countries experiencing an energy revolution in shale and gas like the United States and Canada? What were the repercussions of the collapse on other states of the Western hemisphere dependent on oil for growth and development; countries like Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico? Were these outcomes similar to those experiences in other parts of world like Nigeria, Russia and other petro-producing countries? How do developing countries intend to cope with such drastic and sudden exogenous economic shock? Will there be any benefits for energy poor, consumer countries like China, India and European Union member states? Related to these issues are sustainable developmental questions and concerns about the environment. Will cheap oil force other alternative and renewable energy technologies out of the market given lack of competitiveness? Finally, the volume's chapters will discuss prospects for governance in the new oil environment.