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Subject
The Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran railway.
Significance
Russia has pledged funding to complete a rail link between Iran and Azerbaijan, the last segment of the North-South Trade Corridor (NSTC) connecting Russia to the Gulf and India. Azerbaijan hopes to benefit as the 'middle link', while Iran and Russia have greater economic and political aspirations.
Impacts
The route gives Russia another instrument with which to project financial and military power in the Middle East.
Maritime routes via Suez will face competition for freight.
The rail route will need high security given the risks of attack, for example in Dagestan, and of arms, drugs and terrorist travel.
Keywords:
Azerbaijan,
RUCIS,
Iran,
Russia,
Armenia,
India,
Caucasus,
economy,
industry,
international relations,
foreign policy,
foreign trade,
railway,
shipping,
transport,
defence,
sanctions,
infrastructure,
arms,
debt,
gas
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2017
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