Nord Stream: Globalization in the Pipeline?

Energy forms the strongest link between Russia and the outside world in economic and political terms. Developments on the global energy markets have had a huge impact on the situation in Russia and on its relations with other global centres of economic and political power. Studying the workings of the Russian energy sector will thus provide insights into the impact that globalization has had on Russian policy-making, not only in the energy sector but also in more general terms. This chapter focuses on a specific strategic energy project: the construction of the Nord Stream pipeline on the Baltic Sea floor, linking Russia directly with its main European gas customers and making it less dependent on transit countries.