Energy, New Russian Imperialism and the Next U.S. Administration November 18, 2008

Host: Hudson Institute. As news of Barack Obama’s election spread widely on the evening of November 4, the world’s leaders paused to recognize the historic moment—with one exception. Even before most of the victory celebrations had ended, President Medvedev greeted the new administration with an unprecedented direct challenge. By announcing the installation of nuclear missile bases in its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, Russia intends to test not only the resolve of the incoming administration, but also of the EU and NATO. While the deployment of nuclear arms to an area surrounded by EU/NATO member states represents an escalation from the conventional attack on non-NATO Georgia in August, the scope of the Russian challenge is not limited to the military arena. Thanks to its hydrocarbon reserves and to European dependence, it is energy that has been the principal instrument used by Moscow to advance its broader geopolitical goals.

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