By Mamuka Tsereteli (11/30/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: The Blue Stream pipeline is the world\'s deepest undersea pipeline, stretching from southern Russia under the Black Sea to the Durusu Metering Station, a gas terminal outside the port city of Samsun. The gas pipeline is scheduled to deliver 6 bcm per year in 2006, and to reach its full capacity of 16 bcm by 2010. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Turkey\'s Black Sea coast for the inauguration ceremony.

By Svante E. Cornell (11/16/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: On the one hand, Azerbaijan’s strategic value to the West has gradually increased, due to its significant oil resources; its role in the international anti-terrorist coalition; and its symbolic role as a moderate, secular, and potentially democratic Muslim nation. While these elements were all assets to the incumbent regime, this was compounded by the Bush administration’s increased emphasis on democratization in the greater Middle East. Azerbaijan became a test case for the ‘Bush doctrine’: would Washington stick to its principles in case of a fraudulent election, or stand by a strategic if authoritarian ally? In the run-up to the elections, Washington took on a more active role in Azerbaijan’s electoral politics than at earlier occasions.

By Rizwan Zeb (11/16/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: The IPI pipeline would run about 1,115 km (690 miles) in Iran, 705 km (440 miles) in Pakistan and 850 km (530 miles) in India, and total investment is estimated at $4 billion and may take 4 to 5 years to complete. Australia’s BHP, the National Iranian Gas Company, Petronas and Total have expressed interest in building the pipeline. The Indian government recently decided it would seek cabinet approval for joining the project once the three countries decide on the project framework by late 2005.