New energy order politics neopolitics: From geopolitics to energeopolitics

Abstract

This paper focuses on changing understandings of geopolitics from classical, modern and critical meanings with regard to the role of energy. It suggests that oil and natural gas will maintain their significance throughout next decades despite an increased use of nuclear and renewable sources. Conflict and cooperation will likely include more territorial issues among production, transport and consumption. The paper first elaborates the permanent/continuing and temporary/changing dimensions of geopolitics with a special emphasis on energy. It then identifies the interaction between energy and geopolitics through the concept of energeopolitics. Finally, it focuses on the new energy order (N.E.O.), examining the geopolitical significance of hydrocarbons, and defines the principle state and non-state actors with their limits and capabilities regarding Eurasia, the Caspian region, the Middle East and Africa. The paper finally shows how a new energy order is emerging through neopolitics (new energy order politics) of global and regional powers such as the USA, the EU, Russia, Iran, Turkey, China and India. © 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.