If an emerging Sino-Russian energy nexus becomes sufficiently robust, there could be profound geopolitical consequences, including most significantly the consolidation of a bipolar order (China versus the United States) in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan's competing pipeline initiative suddenly appeared to become the front-runner in 2004, partly as a consequence of the Kremlin campaign against Yukos. Nevertheless, Russia's current plan represents a cautious strategy to preserve its flexibility and delay the difficult decision. The West should vigorously campaign for a route that reaches the shores of the Pacific, in order to enhance multipolarity in the Asia-Pacific region.
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